On Tuesday, June 28, 2022, Patrice Reitz-Morales, loving wife, sweet mother of two, and beloved grandmother of two, was welcomed into heaven at the age of 70. Patrice was born on February 7, 1952 in Fresno, CA to Floyd and Dorothy (Kincheloe) Reitz. As the middle child of the couple, Patrice looked up to her older sister Kristie (Reitz) Hushaw and was entertained by her younger brother William Reitz. A graduate of Bullard High School and California State University Fresno, she went on to pursue post-collegiate education receiving her juris doctorate from San Joaquin College of Law and admittance to the California Bar in 1978. Patrice practiced criminal law in the Fresno-area for the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office and in private practice for nearly 30 years. She built a life with her husband, Robert Morales, for over 28 years spending 10 of those as husband and wife. Patrice raised her two children, Taryn (Braze) Duvall and Logan Braze, with kindness and unwavering love. Being a mother, or “Mother Goose” as her kids called her, was one of her greatest joys. And, when she became “Grandma Trice” to her two granddaughters, Brooks and Noah Duvall, she assumed the role with such excitement, generosity, and love.
Patrice spent most of her life building a beautiful collection of artworks - paintings, pottery, sculptures, and jewelry. While her favorite artist was her own mother, Dorothy Reitz – Watercolorist, she traveled the West Coast building a wonderful collection. She was a music lover and her children remember she most enjoyed the greats of 1970s rock like Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, and Chicago. She was known for her kindness, ability to forgive and give second chances, and her compassion. In the days following her passing, friends and family continually said that the was “just simply the sweetest person”.
Patrice is preceded in death by her father, Floyd, and her mother, Dorothy. She is survived by her husband Robert, her two children, Taryn and Logan, her son-in-law Kory Duvall, her two granddaughters, Brooks and Noah Duvall, her sister, Kristie, her brother, William, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins; all of whom she treasured and was very proud of. To say she will be missed simply does not seem like an adequate word to describe what the physical world will be like without her presence.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Friday, August 5th, 2022 at Belmont Memorial Parkway on N. Teilman in Fresno, CA at 10 o’clock a.m. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her name to Malamute Rescue & Rehabilitation of NorCal, a 501(C)(3) organization, at malamuterescuereha.wixsite.com/website. Patrice’s always loved her malamute of 14 years, Mhekka, and treated her daughter’s malamutes like fur grandchildren.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lislefuneralhome.com for the family.
