Patricia Eileen Butcher

Patricia Eileen Maltby-Scoville-Butcher was born in 1931 in Panama, Illinois. Her mother and father, Fred and Mary Maltby had two other children, Fred Maltby Jr. and Margaret (Coggie) Maltby. The family moved to the small town of Westwood, California when Patricia was about 4 years old. They all grew up there and the family was very close and loved each other fiercely.

Patricia graduated from Westwood High School and had many friends and adventures growing up in Westwood. She worked in the local movie theater and enjoyed being with all her friends at the movies. She married Albert William Scoville in Westwood and they had a son, Thomas A. Scoville while living there. Patricia told many stories of living in the snowy town and building fires to heat water and keep warm. She never really enjoyed the snow after leaving Westwood. There are various family items kept in the Westwood museum, including her high school sweater that we viewed together, on a trip back to Westwood. The family moved from Westwood to Sacramento and their other son, Fred J. Scoville was born.

While living in Sacramento, Patricia worked as a meat wrapper at Jumbo Market, and then at the family business, Graham C. Butcher Investigations. She continued working there after the passing of her second husband, Graham Butcher, and for a few years after her son, Fred Scoville took over the business that was renamed Butcher, Scoville & Associates in their honor.

Patty was a kind and gentle person and always willing to help others. She enjoyed reading and taking trips to flower shows with Sheri Briggs, her son Tom’s wonderful life partner. She loved playing Yahtzee with her sister in law Amy Maltby and her brother Fred, and many fierce rivalries stemmed from those games. In her later years she became enthralled with Gemology, and collected countless gemstones and items that brought her great joy.

She is survived by her two sons, Thomas A. Scoville and Sheri Briggs of Utah and Fred J. Scoville and his wonderful wife, Sharon Scoville of Elverta, California. Her husbands, grand parents, parents and siblings all preceded her in death and she now is reunited with them in Heaven. She loved her remaining family members with all of her heart, and family was always the most important thing to her. Being with them at Christmas Eve parties and on Thanksgiving and Christmas was one of the biggest joys in her life.

On a personal note, my mother moved in with me and my wonderful wife Sharon Scoville about 12 years ago. It was interesting living with my mother again, but she made our house a home and her passing has left a hole in our hearts, we are not sure that even time will fill. We love you MOM and miss you more than seems bearable. Our life will never be the same again without you. Fred.

Patricia was a wonderful mother and her son’s Tom and Fred will miss her dearly.