Patricia Lee Binkerd

Patricia (Patty) L. Binkerd, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend, departed this mortal life on October 15, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona, following a painful battle with pancreatic cancer.

Early Life and Education

Born on January 5, 1959, in Eureka, California, Patty was the daughter of D. Max Johnson and Iva Lou Blackburn. She graduated from Eureka High School and, in 1979, attended LDS Business College (now Ensign College).

Faith and Service

At the time of her passing, Patty was a member of the Glen Lakes Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She possessed a strong testimony of her loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Throughout her life, Patty served faithfully in various church callings, including Primary, Young Women, Relief Society, Gospel and Seminary Teaching. While living with her family in Okinawa, Japan, she served as District Relief Society President for the Servicemen’s District.

Career and Dedication to Family

Patty devoted most of her life to being a stay-at-home mom, ensuring her children were welcomed home from school and activities. Later, she worked at Glendale American Elementary School in the Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) as a cafeteria worker and teacher aide. After the passing of her father, Patty cared for her mother for two years. She then returned to GESD as a district trainer, overseeing the management of the GESD’s schools’ breakfast and lunch program, until resigning due to health issues later diagnosed as stenosis of the spine. In her early twenties, Patty worked for KSL-TV in Salt Lake City and, as a teenager, for Eureka television stations KVIQ and KEET. While at KEET, she earned a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) First Class License.

Marriage and Family Life

On Sunday, September 2, 1979, Patty met Chuck Binkerd, which changed her life forever. They became friends and later married on March 14, 1980, in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Together, while supporting Chuck’s service in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), they were blessed with four children and seven grandchildren.

Passions and Generosity

Patty was renowned for her cooking, especially her cheesecakes, within church wards, military bases and social functions. She delighted in cultural gatherings and exchanging meals and recipes; always willing to provide meals for social functions, funerals, assist those in need, or contribute food to fundraising functions for scouting and other activities.

Character and Spirit

Patty’s compassionate spirit was evident to all who knew her. Her generosity and warmth extended beyond her family, always offering help to friends and neighbors. Even in difficult times, her positive outlook inspired those around her and brightened every gathering.

Besides being infected by pancreatic cancer, Patty was an uterine cancer and optical cancer survivor.

Interests and Pastimes

In her spare time, Patty enjoyed cooking and baking and watching Cooks Country, America’s Test Kitchen, The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Everybody Loves Raymond, Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age, Finding Your Roots, Ghosts, Ghosts UK, and occasionally, The Antiques Show. During her recent health decline, these shows brought many laughs and welcome distraction from the pain.

Surviving Family

Patty is survived by her husband, Chuck; her children, Jessica (Bryant), Robin, Alex, and Scott; her grandchildren; brothers; sisters; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceded in Death

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Services

A viewing and funeral will be held at the Glen Lakes Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 8840 North 61st Avenue, Glendale, AZ. The viewing is scheduled for 10am to 11am on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The funeral will follow the viewing.

Gratitude

Patty was deeply grateful for the care she received from Drs. Brown, Lott, Ho, Greenberg, Saab, Welch and the other doctors and nurses at the Mayo Clinic Hospital and Banner Thunderbird Hospital.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, Patty requested donations be made to St. Mary’s Food Bank (Phoenix, AZ), Hospice of the Valley (Phoenix, AZ), and the Mayo Clinic Hospital Oncology Department (Phoenix, AZ).

Interment

Patty will be interred at the National Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix,