Patricia J. Rooney, 82, public relations consultant

Patricia J. Rooney, 82, of Philadelphia, a public relations and communications consultant, died Monday, Feb. 6, of heart failure at Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse.

Ms. Rooney had a long and varied career, during which she did writing, speaking, networking, program management, and desktop publishing.

The daughter of Joseph Francis and Marguerite Marie Morrow Rooney, she was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Merion Mercy Academy in 1952.

She graduated in 1956 from Rosemont College with a bachelor's degree in history, and later took graduate-level courses at the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and Temple University.

From 1995 to 1998, she was director of alumnae relations for Rosemont College. In that role, she managed alumnae records and developed initiatives, reaching out to graduates through print, special programs and events, and marketing techniques.

From 1998 to 2003, Ms. Rooney was the director of development and communications for the nonprofit Providence Center in Philadelphia's Fairhill section. She served the educational organization by doing grant writing, preparation of learning materials, and the development of funding sources.  She wrote press releases, designed and edited newsletters, prepared spread sheets and statistical reports, and acted as a liaison to the center's board of directors.

From 2003 to 2007, Ms. Rooney was the director of the Temple Association for Retired Persons based on the school's campus. She was responsible for managing an educational program for 600 senior members.  She created a fundraising campaign which resulted in a three-year grant of $1 million beginning in 2008.

Her efforts to market the program, both within and outside of the university, boosted membership of the elder group by nearly 40 percent in four years, her family said. She also planned special events and directed the activities of volunteers.

In an online business profile, Ms. Rooney said she served as president of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. She taught computer skills to the residents of her Center City co-op so that they could text their grandchildren, and in 2009 started an email newsletter to keep co-op residents informed. She also tutored Philadelphia school students in reading.

"She was very lively, very red-headed, she loved activity of any variety, especially travel," said her sister, Alice-Mary Lawler. Because she didn't have many relatives, she made her co-op "a family," her sister said.

Besides her sister, she is survived by a niece, Maggi Kirk. Her twin sister, Marguerite "Peggy" Rooney, died 20 years ago of leukemia. 

A Funeral Mass was held on Friday, Feb. 10. 

Memorial donations may be made to Rosemont College, Office of Development, 1400 Montgomery Ave., Rosemont, Pa. 19010.