Patricia Chiyoko Boettcher

June 11, 1933 - April 4, 2019

Resident of San Jose, CA

Age 85

Born: Hilo, Hawaii on the big island of Hawaii, Territory of Hawaii

Mother: Elaine Ume Shibuya Chun Fat

Father: Peter Chun Fat

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother (nana), sister, daughter and friend passed peacefully at home on April 4, 2019.

Born in Hilo, Hawaii, Patricia attended Royal School in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The family moved to San Francisco, CA in 1948. Patricia was a Jefferson High School (Daly City, CA) graduate. She excelled at many sports and subjects, had many good friends and was class secretary. Upon graduating, she turned down a chance to go to University of Berkeley, choosing instead to work in order to help her family financially. She enjoyed her years at the Government Services Administration.

She met the handsome Woody Boettcher “one enchanted evening” and they married on October 1, 1955. Their first daughter, Donna Marie was born in 1956 in San Francisco.They moved to San Luis Obisbo, where Woody worked two jobs and graduated from Cal Poly. Their second daughter, Cindy Jane was born in 1960. While Woody worked at Vandenberg Air Force Base as a high explosives chemist, Patricia raised her children, managed the home and enjoyed her hobbies (photography, reading, quilting) and her friendships.

They moved to Santa Cruz where their third daughter Karen Lynn was born in 1963. They finally settled in San Jose in 1964 in a cute tract home amidst the blossoming cherry, prune and walnut trees. The “proposed" Highway 85 location was near by and Almaden Expressway was only a two-lane country road.

Patricia’s warm smile and friendly nature was well received on Wayland Avenue, where the neighbors quickly became close friends, and all of the kids played across the front lawns and were welcomed at the fun neighborhood barbecues and dance parties held on warm summer evenings. On one of those warm summer evenings, her beloved daughter Cindy Jane passed away from a long present lung illness. Patricia grieved, but faced this monumental loss with dignity and grace, carefully comforting her family while always keeping the memory of dear Cindy with her.

In 1974, Patricia and Woody moved their family from this happy place, a short distance away to her current home of 47 years, finding again, extremely special and wonderful neighbors, who treasured them right back.

She and Woody celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Woody passed in 2016 at age 83. Their love and kindness was a model to all who loved and cherished them.

Patricia is survived by her children, Donna Boettcher Myers (Michael Glenn Myers) and Karen Boettcher. She also leaves behind her two grandchildren, Cathie Myers and Christina Myers. She is predeceased by her parents, Elaine Chun Fat and Peter Chun Fat, her daughter Cindy Jane, her sister Astrid Hilo, her brother in law, Alexander Hilo, and her niece Lana Lin. She leaves behind, her sister Ellen Kaimi Keiko Lin(Lok) of San Jose, her brother Raymond Chu Fat of Auburn, CA, her beloved nieces, Maile Hilo, Lorrie Lin, Landra Lin and Lani Badri (Omeed), and her beloved nephews, Lance Hilo (Marcia), and Marlin Hilo (Charlene).

Patricia was an exceptional mother, wife and friend. Her cheerful and optimistic outlook on life was appreciated and admired by all. She kept a tidy, well decorated and organized home and was a wonderful cook. She was a concerned an loving parent and friend, always willing to listen, comfort, and offer advice. She delighted in the many family parties and neighborhood gatherings, and she entertained with ease. Even as youngsters, her daughters realized that theirs was no ordinary mother, but rather an elegant, beautiful lady, charming, and quite the belle of the ball. Her winning personality and genuine interest in others was part of her appeal and magic. She adored her granddaughters, Cathie and Christina Myers. It was always special to be at nana and papa's house.

Patricia loved to travel, and her husband Woody indulged her. Together, and with the whole family, they explored most of the United States by car, train, cruises to Alaska and the Mediterranean and many wonderful trips home to Hawaii. She loved photography, her books, and maps. She donated to many charities and had a great empathy for her fellow man.

Her wishes were to have a memorial service which reflected her love of family and her Hawaiian roots, and for it to be a joyous celebration of her life.

She was laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery beside her beloved Woody and beloved daughter, Cindy Jane, and near her parents, Peter and Elaine Ume Shibuya Chun Fat on April 19, 2019. The Lord’s Prayer was recited in Hawaiian by Charlene Hilo and a Hawaiian themed luncheon followed at The Boulder Ridge Golf and Country Club. Guests were treated to a hula dance in her honor.

Rest peacefully and happily and continue smiling your beautiful smile in Heaven, dear mom. We love you always and forever.

Aloha Oe, until we meet again.