Patricia Ann (Peters) Ryder, 88, died peacefully Aug. 14, 2024. She resided at Country Meadows, Bethlehem. She was the wife of the late Thomas G. Ryder for 50 years. Born in Bronx, N.Y., she was the only child of Raphael C. and Helen (Hart) Peters. During her childhood, “Patsy” enjoyed vacationing with her aunts, Thea and Adelaide, in The Hamptons.

She graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in 1957. Her early career began in advertising with J. Walter Thompson in New York. After time off for full-time child rearing, she began freelance reporting for the Emmaus Free Press. When East Penn Publishing expanded, she had the opportunity to start the Parkland Press; three years later, she became editor of the Whitehall-Coplay Press.

She served as president of the Pennsylvania Affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women remaining involved well into her 70s.

She was passionate about library science. As a librarian, she was an avid reader and was especially fond of female writers. She thoroughly enjoyed helping people understand the nuances of English, even instructing English as a second language.

For more than 30 years, she was an active member of the St. Thomas More Allentown parish.

She retired from the newspaper in time to accompany her husband on a consulting assignment in Tokyo, Japan. While enjoying the local culture and cuisine, their time abroad afforded her the opportunity to take many photos which later became the subject of her artistic talents. She joined the Parkland Art League exploring her skills in oil and watercolor painting. She was proud to exhibit her work, even earning awards.

She and her husband enjoyed traveling the world so much that they formed a travel agency. They traveled every continent; domestically, their travel included both Hawaii and Alaska, as well as road trips across the lower 48. She would tell you that her favorite city in the world was San Diego.

She is survived by children, Tom (Kate), Christine (Titus) Brookins, Jim (Tammy), Bob and Kathleen (Nick) Caserio; grandchildren, Kellen, Timothy, Briana, Gabrielle, Marissa (Mark Coci; first great-grandchild on the way), Madison, Sean, Mikaela, Emma, Jane, Whitley, Chatham, Charleston; a host of friends.

Contributions may be made in her name to the NFPW Education Fund, 140B Purcellville Gateway Dr., Suite 120, Purcellville, Va. 20132 or the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop c/o Office of Annual Giving, University of Dayton, 300 College Park Dayton, Ohio, 45469-7056.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Aug. 21 at St. Thomas More Church, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown. A viewing will be held 10-11 a.m. before the Mass. Arrangements were made by the Norcross-Weber Funeral Home, Coopersburg.