Patricia White Spaniac

Patricia White Spaniac, of Huntington Beach, and more recently of Upland, California, passed away on July 17, 2023. She is survived by her children, Katharine Spaniac, of Upland, California; Christopher Spaniac, of Sammamish, Washington, her grandchildren Molly and Joe Spaniac, her sister, Claire White, and Richard Clouse, who she always lovingly referred to as her "favorite" son-in-law. She is preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Dr. Joseph J. Spaniac and her brother, Minor Kendall White, of Columbus, Georgia.

Patricia was born August 9, 1931 in Covina, California, to Minor and Katharine White. Her father, Minor White, grew oranges for the Sunkist label and Patricia had many fond memories of riding bareback on mules in her family's orange orchard, hiding lima beans in her socks so her folks thought she ate them at dinner, and vacationing in Laguna Beach with her family in the summer to escape the Inland Empire's heat in a pre-air conditioned world.

Patricia graduated from Covina High School in 1949 and went on to attend the University of Arizona at Tucson, transferring to the University of Santa Barbara where she graduated, obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree. She also obtained her teaching credential and taught elementary school for a time in Long Beach, California.

Patricia married the love of her life, Joseph J. Spaniac, on August 11, 1956 in Laguna Beach, where her family had relocated during her college years. They settled in Huntington Beach in 1960 after brief residencies in Hollywood and Seal Beach as Joseph finished up his residency requirements to practice general surgery. The other loves of her life were her children, Kathy and Chris, for whom she gave up her teaching career and enthusiastically served as chauffeur, coach, and confidant for the many sports that they engaged in including baseball, equestrian activities, skiing, ice skating, swimming, and tennis.

She will be deeply missed but more importantly, always remembered and celebrated.