Patsy Surh O'Connell was born in Shanghai, China of Korean parents, and lived her early life in Korea before immigrated to America as a student in 1963. She graduated as an Interior Designer in San Francisco. She and her husband lived and visited many Asia Pacific regions before settling in Gig Harbor, Washington in1985.
She studied Chinese ink painting, Sumi-e, oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, lapidary, weaving, pottery, quilting, and batik in Korea, Japan, China, and in the United States.
She worked at Architects’ office as CAD operator and space planning. Later she bought and operated a travel agency.
-2002 she was selected to participate in National American Leadership Forum Pierce County Chapter Class IX.
-Governor appointed as an Arts Commissioner to the Washington State Arts Commission for two terms through 1996-2003. Received Governor’s Arts and Heritage Award in 2018. -Appointed to Board of Trustees of Western States Arts Federation representing Washington State for two terms through 1997-2004.
-2019 she received Moon Jae In Korean President’s Award.