Monrovia honors ‘neighborhood treasure’ Pat Ostrye

The city of Monrovia last weekend honored with its “neighborhood treasure” designation Mary “Pat” Ostrye, the first woman to serve on the City Council and as mayor.

On June 15 city officials unveiled a commemorative display in the 300 block of North Alta Vista Avenue in recognition of Ostrye, who died in 2018.

“Pat was a proud Monrovian who embodied our community values,” City Manager Dylan Feik wrote in his weekly newsletter.

Ostrye’s passion for service began when she joined the U.S. Navy, where she worked as a telegrapher in air traffic control in San Diego. While visiting Monrovia, she met her husband Peter Ostrye at Immaculate Conception Church, and six months later they got married and resided in the city.

In 1974, Pat Ostrye became the first woman to serve on the Monrovia City Council, and four years later she was the first woman directly elected as mayor. She held all four of the city’s elected offices through the early 1990s.

“Her leadership and campaign promises brought several programs, including Monrovia Meals on Wheels, Dial-a-Ride, a home library, and a federally funded senior lunch program,” Feik wrote.

Following her mayoral term, Ostrye continued public service when she was elected as city clerk in 1980. In 1992, she ran for and won the part-time position of city treasurer.

The Neighborhood Treasures program “celebrates historically significant Monrovians through the installation of public art pieces in various neighborhoods throughout the community,” according to the city.

The program was developed by Monrovia Area Partnership and implemented with council approval in 2018.