KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Patricia Wynne, a special education teacher at Spangdahlem Elementary School, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, according to Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe officials.

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday at 3:30 p.m. in the Spangdahlem Air Base chapel.

Wynne, 75, spent her entire 49 years of teaching with DODDS, school officials said in a news release. She began her career in Okinawa, Japan, in 1964, later transferring to Germany, where she taught at Würzburg, Mainz, Dexheim and Hahn elementary schools. For the last 20 years, she taught at Spangdahlem.

“Pat loved living in Europe,” Rich Alix, Spangdahlem Elementary School principal, was quoted in the news release as saying. “Her greatest passion was ballet. She often spent three-day weekends in London enjoying performances. She also liked fine dining and traveling.”

“If there is one lesson all of us can learn from Pat’s life, it is this, live your life to the fullest every day — don’t wait to start living after retirement,” Alix added.

Wynne was born in Ohio and grew up in Miami, where her father was a pilot for Pan Am Airlines. She attended college at Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Wynne is survived by her nephew, Christopher Wynne, of Marietta, Ga.

Flowers and cards can be sent to 3788 Baccurate Place, Marietta, Ga. 30062. Donations in Wynne’s name can be sent to: Trinity Washington University, Office of Development, 125 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, D.C. 20017.

news@stripes.com

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