Mourning The Loss Of Two Phenomenal Boca Women

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Boca Raton mourns the passing of two incredible women: Patti Carpenter and Susan Whelchel. To the community, both Patti and Susan were fierce and inspirational community advocates. To me, they were role models and most of all, dear friends. 

Like me, those who knew Patti were touched by her unending spirit of generosity. One of the city’s most generous and active philanthropists, Patti was a resident of Boca Raton since 1970 and founded the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation's Annual “Go Pink” breast cancer awareness luncheon in 2003. She has chaired the incredible event for 19 consecutive years.  She established the William K. Carpenter Nursing Education Fund at Boca Raton Regional Hospital which supports continuing education, funding for nursing certifications and tuition reimbursements.  She was recognized with the Junior League of Boca Raton's Woman Volunteer of the Year award which she won in 2001. Beyond that, Patti served as honorary chair of the Royale Women’s Club and was a member of the executive board of Boca Helping Hands and the executive council of 1st United Bank. She supported other worthy causes: the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine White Coats-4-Care, Tri-County Animal Rescue, the Migrant Association, Deliver the Dream, Kids in New Directions (KIND), March of Dimes, Hospice by the Sea and Boca Raton Symphonia, among them. 

One of my fondest memories of Patti is visiting her beautiful Royal Palm Country Club home for a party. She was the quintessential hostess and the epitome of elegance — a true lady who always had a welcoming smile for all. She always made you feel that you were the most important person in the room.  Every year at the Go Pink luncheon, one of the first things I would do when I arrived would be to find Patti and see what stunning outfit she was wearing.  She was always so glamorous and gracious about compliments.  Patti loved to share stories about her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, whom she adored.  She always went out of her way to make me and my husband feel included; especially when I started my publication in 2003. 

Former Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel passed away August 5. Her commitment to community began early on when she chose teaching as her profession, enjoying a 30-year career which culminated at Boca Raton High School. Susan was heavily involved in our community through nonprofits like the Junior League of Boca Raton, where she was named Woman Volunteer of the Year in 2016. Her passion to serve the community led her to politics, beginning a fruitful role as a public servant when she was elected to the Boca Raton City Council and served three terms, as Deputy Mayor and Vice-Chairman of the Community Redevelopment Agency. From there she was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to a two-year term on the Palm Beach County School Board, shifting her focus back to her original passion: our local schools. Susan was elected as Mayor of Boca Raton in 2008, then re-elected and served a second term. She retired from politics in 2014.  One of Susan’s trademark initiatives was to create a world-class community. She had a vision to bring quality education, excellent medical facilities, higher learning opportunities, adequate recreational facilities, public parks and nature centers to the city. She helped Boca achieve its goal in 2015 when Boca Raton was named the 11th best city in the country. 

Throughout such an incredible and hectic schedule, Susan always found time to say a kind word to me about something she had read in The Boca Raton Observer.  Years ago, I ran into her in Colorado in the summer and remember how happy we both were to see each other in one of our favorite places.  Her faith and her family were most important in her life.  She always shared stories about her beloved family; her husband, four children and their spouses and ten grandchildren, nieces, nephews and close friends were truly her pride and joy.  

Beyond these impressive accolades, both women were givers, with a warm and kind spirit — always willing to lend a hand, offer their time, grace and wisdom to help bolster our community. Patti through her philanthropic and society efforts and Susan in a civic and political manner. I am at a loss to learn of their passing but am grateful and privileged to have called them both friends. They will continue to inspire me every day. May their memory serve as a blessing.  These Wonder Women will be truly missed by all who knew them.