Patricia (Britton, Davis) Dance was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Corryn E. (Shields) Shaw and Ralph R. Britton. Pat was baptized by her grandfather Elder W.R. Shields, Pastor at Morningside Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) in Pittsburgh. Her service as a gifted musician began at the age of three as a member of the church choir. At the age of four she was a featured soloist at the C.O.G.I.C. Annual Convention attended by more than 6,000 members. Patricia moved to Cleveland, Ohio at the age of seven and became a member of St. Paul AME Church (Cleveland) where, as a teenager, she was instrumental in founding the church choir and served as a soloist and choir director. As an adult Patricia became a member of the St. Paul AME Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Patricia was a devoted and active member of St. Paul AME (Cambridge) for over 30 years, serving in various capacities including: Director of Liturgical Arts for over 15 years, Inspirational Choir Director, member of the Grace Dance Ministry, the New Temple Singers, and the Praise & Worship Team, and Executive Assistant to Pastors Rev. Dr. Leroy Attles, Sr., Rev. Marcellus Norris, Rev. Melvin Wilson, and Rev. Ellis I. Washington.

After graduating from John Marshall High School in Cleveland, Patricia went on to receive two Bachelor of Arts degrees in sociology and psychology from Long Island University. While studying in New York she met her first husband, Robert Davis, and later gave birth to her first child, Eric Brian Davis. Patricia moved back to Cleveland when Eric was five years old. There she met David L. Dance, remarried and moved to Boston, Massachusetts. Her second son, Samuel Kwame Dance was born to this union. Through all of the challenges of family life, Patricia remained great friends with both Robert and David, and even shared holidays with their extended families. She took great pride in keeping her family together despite all obstacles.

Patricia spent several years working in public relations before working for Basic Health Management and the Center for Health and Development. In the early 1990s she branched out on her own, became an independent consultant, and founded Patricia Dance & Associates (PD&A), an event planning and corporate conferencing business specializing in facilitating minority public health and arts projects for federal and state agencies. She later served the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Conference Planning Consultant for the Department of Public Health HIV/AIDS Bureau for over a decade. Patricia was a phenomenal “planner” and took great pride in organizing extravagant and small events.

In 2008, while running her successful business, working for the Commonwealth, singing professionally, and actively serving in the church, Patricia was asked to take over as Executive Assistant to the Pastor of St. Paul AME after her friend and predecessor passed away. After praying diligently, Patricia leaned on her faith and accepted her calling. From that moment on, Patricia used her gifts to help the church flourish.

Patricia was a passionate performing artist and avid traveler. Patricia studied music, dance, and drama at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Juilliard School of Music, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Additionally, Patricia performed with the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra Choir at Cleveland's Karamu Theatre, and was a Master’s of Education Candidate at Lesley University (MA) where her concentration was in music. Patricia was a partner in GNE (Gospel New England) Productions, vocal instructor at GNE Music Studio in Cambridge, taught chorus at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, co-produced the New England Conservatory (NEC) Thomas A. Dorsey Gospel Jubilee, and co-founded and coordinated the 200 voice (NEC) Millennium Gospel Choir. Patricia traveled throughout the United States and internationally singing gospel music and participating in cultural exchanges. Some of the countries where she ministered include, France, England, Germany, Armenia, Barbados, and South Africa. These international evangelic experiences stimulated an interest in personal travel that lasted for the rest of her life.

Of all the roles Pat played, none was more dear or important to her than her role as mother to her sons Eric and Kwame. Her “boys” were her heart and soul. She taught them to put God first in their lives, make education a priority, and always remain faithful and trusting of God’s Will.

Pat leaves behind to continue to praise God: Sons Eric Brian Davis (Candace) and Samuel Kwame Dance; Mother: Corryn (Connie) E. Shaw; Grandchildren: Fidel and Ché Corbie-Davis; Sisters and Brother: Vinetta Lynn (Shaw) Hendershot, Leeza, Raven, Alma “Michelle” and Ralph Britton; Very special friends: Donnell L. Patterson, Olivia Moorehead-Slaughter, Priscilla Banister, Kelley Chunn and a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2015 at Saint Paul AME Church, 37 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, MA from 6-7 pm with a Service to follow at 7 pm. Relatives and friends will meet at the church on Monday, December 7, 2015 at 9am for a brief Prayer Service and then follow to the Interment at Cambridge Cemetery. Following the interment, a reception will be held at Saint Paul AME Christian Life Center, 85 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, MA Monday at 12 noon.