‘She was one of the greatest county commissioners.’ Manatee’s Patricia Glass dies at 93
Patricia Glass, Manatee County’s first female commissioner, passed away Tuesday morning.
Commissioners Carol Whitmore and Betsy Benac shared the news during a Council of Governments meeting Tuesday afternoon. Glass died from natural causes, according to a Manatee County press release.
“Mother passed away (of natural causes) early this morning at her final home at Surrey Place Healthcare & Rehabilitation,” said Mary Glass, Pat’s daughter. “We appreciate the outpouring of prayers and kind words that have already come in over the past few hours. We will announce arrangements when they are made.”
Glass, 93, served on the county commission from 1978 until 2006 and mentored several incumbent commissioners.
”Commissioner Glass was a mentor to me when I started working for the county in 1983. She was there,” said Commissioner Betsy Benac. “She was a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful mentor to have. She was so happy when I got elected and I loved meeting with her.”
“There’s only two people who held the District 6 seat — that’s Pat Glass and myself,” said Whitmore, who succeeded Glass in the at-large seat.
A Manatee County resident for nearly 65 years, Glass dedicated her life to the community, serving on the board of directors for at least 22 organizations and serving as chair of nine regional organizations.
Following her 28 years on the board, Glass served as a weekly contributor for the Herald, writing “Citizen At Large” columns that discussed Manatee’s progress in transportation, budget spending and other countywide issues.
In 2011, she was honored as a Manatee County’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year, an award given to the most spectacular local leaders. In 2018, Manatee County officials renamed the commission’s chambers after Glass.
“This has been overwhelming for me. I can’t believe it. I’ve got all my kids in one spot,” Glass, who was known for her humor and wit, said at the unveiling ceremony.
As a long-tenured commissioner, Glass played a vital role in advancing major Manatee projects, including Port Manatee, the current Manatee County Administration Building and the Public Safety Center.
Glass served as chairman of the board for seven years while she fought to protect the local environment, provide local healthcare and develop affordable housing.
“The accomplishments she had would fill several lifetimes,” said Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, who served on the commission alongside Glass. “She was one of the greatest county commissioners we ever had here in the county. She will be missed. They don’t make them like that anymore.”
Arrangements for a celebration of life will be made in the future.
Glass is survived by four children and four grandchildren. Her husband Henry passed away in 2010.
This story was originally published September 1, 2020 at 5:11 PM.
