Patricia Ann Vandenberg
Our friend and fellow Northern Lights Costumers’ Guild member Patricia Ann Vandenberg passed peacefully around 8:30 PM on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
Pat was one of my oldest and dearest friends. We met through the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA) and worked and played together for many decades. I was one of four bridesmaids for Pat and Allan Kent’s wedding. Donald and many NESFAns were there and our son, Don (he was then 8) was the ring bearer.
Pat and Allan were a huge part in my and Donald’s first foray into costume competition at Worldcon.
Our first costumes together were for the Boston in 1980 “Mad 3 Party” bid group presented at L.A.con II in 1984. Many in fandom thought that Boston fans didn’t like or respect costuming. We brought 20+ people on stage and won in the Journeyman Division for Best Bid (I think) because one person in our group was a Journeyman – Suford Lewis. Pat recruited her friend Deryl Burr (last name changed, now Deryl Humphrey) to help us make costumes. For about a year we met at Deryl’s house weekly with a horde of people to accomplish that goal. Deryl is also the main designer and seamstress of Pat’s wedding gown and our bridesmaid’s dresses. Deryl was also a bridesmaid.
Bid costuming was a thing. For over a year, I think, many people came to our house on Wednesday nights to work on our “Charley on the UFO” costumes and skits presented at the Winnipeg Worldcon for our Boston in 1989 bid. Won again. Can’t remember the award name.
Pat and Allan made it as Costume Masters before Donald and I, as they became Masters at CC18. They were part of Dina Flockhart’s group “Seeking Hope” where Pat and Deryl designed and made the Chinese warrior women’s armor. I couldn’t costume or compete that year, too busy being co-Chair of Costume-Con 18.
Our highest award in costuming was as part of Janet Johnston’s “Arctic Circle” entry at Noreascon 4 where we won Best in Show and Best Workmanship, Journeyman Division.
Pat and Allan were wonderful hosts on our trips to the Boston area while we were living in New York for a bit over a year. They lived with us in Milford when they sold their house in Arlington before moving to Mendon.
We SMOFed together. Pat and I co-Directed an Art Show for Arisia. She Directed the Hugo Award Ceremony at Millennium Philcon where I was co-Division Head for Events. She Chaired Boskone XX. We both love Events and helped and encouraged each other to be bold and try new things.
We laughed together. We cried together. We loved each other. Our lives are forever better for having known each other.
Rest in Peace my dear, dear friend. Missing you always,
– Jill
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