Patricia "Pat" O'Malley Horn

Patricia “Pat” or “Trish” O’Malley Horn, 88, of Tallahassee, Florida, peacefully entered into Eternal Life in the glory of the Lord on February 3, 2026. She was surrounded in love by her family and friends and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Pat was born to Gerald and Emma Ruth O’Malley and grew up with a love of learning, service, and faith that shaped her entire life. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from the University of Tennessee, where she was also a proud member of Chi Omega. She met her beloved husband, Bob, at the University of Tennessee, beginning a partnership marked by devotion, curiosity, humor, and shared spiritual growth. After graduation, Pat and Bob made their home in Florida, later moving to Charlottesville and Annandale, Virginia, before returning to Florida in retirement. Early in her career, Pat briefly taught in a one room schoolhouse, an experience that revealed the creativity and gentleness she carried into all her work. Her dedication to community service was especially evident through her involvement with the Girl Scouts. She began as a Brownie leader and Cadet troop leader, and served as a day camp director at Camp Crowell. Pat eventually joined the Girl Scouts of the USA in a professional capacity, working as a program delivery specialist and trainer for new leaders. Her outstanding contributions were recognized with the Thanks Badge, the organization’s highest award for volunteer service. Pat also contributed significantly to the field of occupational safety and health during her tenure as a senior program analyst and general industry coordinator at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). She developed the initial Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star requirements and site review procedures—work that continues to influence national safety practices. She also co authored a book on improving organizational safety and health systems and later served as a consultant, helping organizations strengthen their own safety and health programs. Faith was a guiding force throughout Pat’s life. She pursued studies at the Virginia Theological Seminary, became involved with Education for Ministry (EFM), and helped establish the EFM program at Trinity Episcopal Church in Apalachicola. She served as a spiritual director, retreat leader, and guide for dream groups, and she offered her gifts as a writer through Threads of Grace, a weekly written ministry of meditations based on the Sunday lectionary, which she lovingly composed from December 2007 through March 2024. For those interested in the ministry that meant so much to her, more can be found at www.threads-of-grace.org. Pat was also an Associate in the Community of the Holy Spirit, a relationship that enriched her life profoundly. After retiring in 1989, Pat and Bob moved to Apalachicola to restore a historic home and enjoy the beauty of the Gulf Coast. There, Pat delighted in nature, community, and the quiet joy of reading. An avid reader, she was known for her “hungry eyes”—a phrase Bob coined for her and loved to use—because she would happily read anything she could get her hands on, even the back of a cereal box. Pat is preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband. She is survived by her children Libby (Dale) Templeton, Audrey (Tom) Brunette, and Larry (Ingrid) Horn; her sister Katherine; her grandchildren Brandi, Brad (Lexie), Paige, and Courtney; and her great grandchild Barrett. Her legacy lives on through them, and through the many people whose lives she enriched with kindness, wisdom, and steady grace. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charity that reflects her lifelong dedication to contemplative prayer, compassion, and spiritual healing. Suggested organizations include the Center for Action and Contemplation (www.cac.org), or a charity meaningful to you. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church 2015 Fleischmann Road Tallahassee, FL 32308 Dayne Parker of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Horn family with their arrangements.

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Patricia "Pat" O'Malley Horn

April 2, 1937 - February 3, 2026