Public memorial to celebrate life of Pat Conroy
Friends and family members will gather for a public memorial celebrating the life of best-selling author and Lowcountry icon Pat Conroy next weekend.
Planned by the University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts and the city of Beaufort, the event is at 5 p.m. May 14 at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort.
The memorial will feature remarks and readings by Conroy’s widow, novelist Cassandra King; South Carolina historian Walter Edgar; USC Beaufort English professor and author Ellen Malphrus; New York Times best-selling novelist Patti Callahan Henry; and Conroy’s lifelong friend Bernie Schein.
In addition, Conroy’s friend and Citadel classmate John Warley will serve as the event’s master of ceremonies, and Marlena Smalls of the Hallelujah Singers will perform.
Participants should bring their own seating.
Leading up to the free event, the Historic Beaufort Foundation also will offer free admission to the “Pat Conroy at 70” exhibition from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 14, at the Verdier House, 801 Bay St., Beaufort.
Conroy died on March 4 at his home along Battery Creek.
Mindy Lucas: 843-706-8152, mlucas@islandpacket.com, @MindyatIPBG
Remembering Pat Conroy — 1945-2016
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