Patricia Smith Rebele, 96, passed away on the evening of December 15, 2025, at home in Santa Cruz of natural causes.  Her family surrounded her, expressing their deep love for her and told her she would be reuniting with her beloved husband, Rowland Kenneth Rebele, in Heaven alongside our loving Lord.  After the family farewell, Pat passed peacefully an hour later.

Pat was a beautiful, gentle, loving, generous, and devoted wife and mother.  A talented illustrator and watercolor painter, she illustrated a children's book called Sally Slug.  She was also a gourmet cook, avid tennis player (playing until she was 91), lifelong reader, and passionate gardener.  Together with her husband Rowland, she was a dedicated philanthropist, giving generously to many local organizations and charities.  She was a devoted Christian and member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Aptos.  Pat loved to travel and visited many countries around the globe, writing and illustrating travel diaries of each trip.

Pat was born in Long Beach, California, to Delphine LaVerne Smith and Lt. Cmdr. Irving Barclay Smith, U.S. Navy.  The family moved several times, ending up in San Francisco and later in Sausalito.  Pat attended high school at Sacred Heart and later art school in San Francisco.  She then attended the College of Marin, earning her Associate of Arts degree.  After raising her children, Pat attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Art History.  She had a particular love of Egyptian art and history.

Pat is survived by her sister, Mary Jane Packard; her daughter, Marianne; her son Andrew and his family: his daughter Lily, son Chantou, son Pidor, and daughter Elodie, and their mother, Soklinh Khoi; and her son Christopher, his wife Jeanne, and their daughter Jessica.

Pat’s family and friends loved her warmth, laughter, and her accepting and easy way.

We all greatly miss her!

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/patricia-smith-rebele/obituary/

Copy