Patricia received her bachelor’s degree in 1964 and her master’s degree in 1965, both from George Washington University, in the fields of archaeology and art history.
After completing her master’s degree, Patricia began working in the art history department at George Washington University, first as an instructor and later as an assistant professor.
After getting married to L. Hayes Smith in 1962 and having a son named Whitney together (born on June 2, 1968), Patricia and L. Hayes Smith divorced in 1979.