My Story with Pat started in Spring 1974 when I met her and that wonderful blue dress that covered very little along with the floppy blue hat that she wore all her life to help hide her smarts. We lived the perfect love life in Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe until that fateful day she learned a snowstorm was imminent. An immediate ultimate of “I’m leaving tomorrow, no idea where” led to us and our faithful VW Van headed to Hollywood.

She landed in those wild 1970’s at the Kaiser Sunset Hospital in the pharmacy dept, with the crazed USC pharmacists. She rose to being the individual legally responsible for all the distribution of the controlled substances. Living in Mt. Washington (the Swish Alps) we lived the scrooge of AIDS, with probably 80% of her friends and neighbors dying from that horrible disease. She started nursing school at that time with the duo of Rita and Vicky, I am sure 3 of the finest nurses ever. The Hand’s and Reina’s were instrumental in keeping us sane during those LA years. She worked OB/GYN and some Oncology at the hospital, somehow keeping her own sanity. At the same time, she tackled her true love, her tremendous talent in housing and its design. With our brother-in-law Michael Dale they did truly wonderful work first on Museum Drive, Mt. Washington and later in Eagle Rock (both LA). We welcomed Dana into our world in 1986.

A fortuitous Earth Day celebration in Santa Barbara lead to us moving to Lompoc in 1991. Enjoying living in Los Angeles and her 4-year New York City background, she was initially very hesitant to moving up in middle of nowhere. But she (happily) resigned herself to a life of being tormented by Dana, Theresa and many other various friends, as she served as the safe house to be at in Lompoc for the kids. Of course, she kept tinkering with the house with the help of Barry our contractor, volunteering for the local hospital, gardening and in general just keeping things under control. She started her life on the road in 2005 when she burnt up the miles visiting Dana at UC Berkley – either that or burning up the phone lines with her missing half.

And of course, mention must be made of her Grand Island, NY connection (just outside Niagara Falls) and her great clan of folks from junior thru high school. Those folks were her heart and soul. Many great Thousand Oaks annuals, along with hours of time finding folks at the time of the next Reunion, along with Facebook kept them alive for her.

Unfortunately, the last 8 years have been pretty much hell, as undiagnosed throat cancer and the complications of radiation and chemotherapy pretty much killed all of her senses. Pat stopped with the food approximately St. Patrick’s Day and has been under great Hospice care since late April. She passed so peacefully on Tuesday May 13th, that neither I nor the caregiver could really mark when it happened. RIP Pat, I love you……………

Condolences to Chuck, Dana, Derek and Lyra. I wish for you peace in the knowledge that Pat put up such a valiant fight for life.

I first met Pat (and Chuck) when I attended their wedding (1980?) with her brother Jim (who I married in 1984). Over the years there have been other meetings at weddings, funerals, and visits. She called often to catch up and check in on us. Whenever we talked, I found her to be a good listener, creative and knowledgeable. She loved architecture and had a gift of restoring homes which I had a chance to see in LA and Lompoc. Pat had a laid-back nature which made her easy to be around. 

Jim and I had a chance to visit with her in April of this year. She was clear that her life had been a good one and that she was much more than her diminished state resulting from the effects of throat cancer and the treatment. Thanks to all for sharing your memories. It helps me to remember the vibrant woman I met so many years ago!

I never thought I would outlive Pat. She was a very large part of my life for many years. Especially when we were younger. I have so many memories of just her and I. I have missed her these last few years.

Chuck ... you have my sincere condolences.  

Dear Chuck, Dana & family, I am very sad that beautiful Pat has left this earth, but relieved that the suffering you have mentioned is over. Thank you for sharing so many wonderful pictures of her. Though I have not seen her in recent years, I have so many memories of her, most recently of sitting on my deck here & visiting. She did love this Island & the great experiences we shared here.

She was a person of heart and substance, who cared about people and this earth. Dana, you were born the same year as my daughter, and I haven't seen you since you were a baby, but, from the memorials, it seems like you are following in her footsteps. Heartfelt sympathy and love to you all, Meg Allen Pietras, Stan & family