Patricia Gordon Erickson, 84 of Solomons, MD died March 29, 2011, at Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, MD. She was born September 7, 1926 in Vallejo, California to her mother Jeanne Gordon. She is survived by her son Mark Erickson. Patricia grew up in California and later in France, where she was sent to live with her grandmother, and fell in love with all things French. She studied political science and graduated from Berkley, and during WWII she was in Honolulu, Hawaii serving the war effort with security clearance that would protect her underground in the event of a nuclear event.

She entered the Foreign Service, and while on assignment in Tokyo as a secretary, met Elden Erickson in 1956, long distance by telling him he would not be able to get out of his assignment in Laos. Of course that was the beginning of a wonderful courtship that too many would best describe as intriguing. It was the beginning of a 50 year anniversary career in the Foreign Service together.

In 1961, before being assigned to Japan, they decided to bring in a new member to the family, their son Mark, whom they adopted and whisked off across the country to Kansas to meet more of his family before their new assignment. After braving a huge blizzard in Kansas and arriving in California, they set off to Japan by boat, stopping off in Hawaii on the way.

Patricia took on their new assignments in stride, always studying the ways and languages of each country, as much the diplomat as Elden, never moving an inch when it came to making sure that all protocols were met and at the same time making sure that all three of them took in as much of the local environments as possible, especially in regards to art and culture.

It became evident to Patricia that families abroad needed to have information available to them while traveling and took on a passion for writing travel guide books, specifically for Holland and later Frankfurt, Germany. It was a passion she never gave up, and continued her writing even here in Calvert County, writing articles about local issues.

For those that new Patricia at Asbury, in Solomons MD, it might be said that though it was very difficult for her after the loss of Elden, she bravely continued on, always learning, always studying, working to develop and maintain an open mind, spiritually and emotionally. Though many will miss her presence, they will certainly have to admit that their lives have been enriched due to their relationship with her.

A celebration of Patricia's life will be held on Friday, April 8, 2011, at 10:30, at Asbury~Solomons Auditorium, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD. A light lunch will follow the ceremony. Interment will be held at Middleham Chapel Episcopal Church Cemetery, Lusby, MD, at 1:00 PM.

Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made to Asbury~Solomons Benevolent Care Fund, c/o Melissa Carnes, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD, 20688 or to Stichting William R. Gordon Scholarship Fund, American International School of Rotterdam, Hillegondastraat, 21 Rotterdam, Netherlands, 3012.

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.