Spotlight on Excellence: One Member, One Month, Endless Impact

If it is the first Friday of the month you can count on Pat Munson to arrive early to Punta Gorda Woman’s Club. In keeping with her proactive spirit, she reserves her seat with Dial-A-Ride at least 10 days ahead.

Pat and her husband, David, moved to Port Charlotte from New Britain, Connecticut in 1999, hoping to continue their love of adventure in a warmer climate. Unfortunately, David became ill and died in 2002. While the move to Port Charlotte did not proceed as planned, she stayed busy in her new community while weathering three Hurricanes, each time having to leave her home for months at a time. Nevertheless, her passion for volunteer work kept her on track.

Volunteering became a way of life for Pat long before she moved to Florida. She has been an active member in the Rebekah’s - a part of the Fraternal Order of Oddfellows, both in Connecticut and Florida. She will receive her 50-year service pin from them this year. She was President of Mothers Club when her children attended school and served as a Cub Scout Den Mother as well as cookie coordinator for the local Girl Scout Club while raising her family in Connecticut. With pride, she tells the story of marching on City Hall (a very GFWC member thing to do) in New Britain, and meeting President Truman!

Early on in Pat’s move to Florida she was befriended by Margaret Swank, a member of Punta Gorda Woman’s Club. Margaret became her mentor during her early years in GFWC PGWC. Pat began her volunteer stint with GFWC PGWC by working The Sullivan Street Fair as well as selling “share the wealth” tickets at meetings. Quickly, she had a seat on the board as corresponding secretary and then serving as 2003-2004 PGWC President. Pat entered many projects into the annual GFWC – District and State art fair; from crocheting hairpin lace pieces to making beautiful full-size quilts. She continues to give by attending fundraisers when she is able and tries to make it to the 2124 club’s “quarter” auction every week, a charity that donates to multiple organizations throughout Charlotte County.

In addition to her many volunteer activities, she continues to have an active part in her four children’s lives (2 sons and 2 daughters), with one daughter living close by in Northport. She is blessed with four grandchildren and one great grandchild. She travels to Connecticut when she gets a chance to visit family including two brothers.

If you catch her at home, you will find her reading in her armchair (large print romance novels are her preference) one book a day from her Kindle. She has her living room set up so that she can always have a view of a beloved statue of a man playing a guitar – it keeps her memories alive of her beloved husband, David. ❤️