Patricia A. (Thorndill) Salinas

She was born May 29, 1942 in Glendale California to Blake Royal Thorndill and Jean Lavonne O’Donnell. She was the eldest of four children, followed by her younger brother Steven Robert, her younger brother Kenneth Royal and her youngest sibling and only sister Mary Beth.

Pat attended Fremont Elementary in Glendale, Clark Junior High in La Crescenta, and Graduated from Glendale High School in 1960, where she belonged to the Pep Club, Commerce Club, Future Teachers - teaching in their own classes, Bowling, Regulated Dress Board, and Senior Class Council. She briefly attended Glendale Community College.

Her First Born son Jeffrey was born April 3, 1963 in Hollywood, California.

She married Manuel Salinas (deceased 2018) on September 14, 1963 at The Little Chapel of The Flowers in Las Vegas, Nevada when she was 21 years old. They were married 55 years.

Her daughter Melanie Jean was born May 22, 1964 in Glendale California. Shortly after her son Clark Joseph was born on November 26, 1965. Three years later her daughter Adrienne Lee was born October 11 1968. And five years later her daughter Maureen Ann was born November 13, 1973.

Pat was a vibrant spirit. She overcame her shyness, and was known as a friendly and fun loving person to everyone she encountered.

Like her eyes, her favorite color was blue, and wore it often. She loved music, writing poetry, dancing, sunbathing poolside, visiting the beach, slot machines from Tahoe, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, and Temecula. She loved traveling across the Western States with her family and entertaining at home with family and friends.

She worked as a bookkeeper at TCA in Montrose, home daycare in Montrose for many years, a bookkeeper for our Pediatrician Dr Schaffer, and finished with 17 years as a bookkeeper then Office Manager for the Cardiologists at Southern California Heart Specialists in Pasadena.

She was fascinated by Hollywood and always dreamed of being discovered and becoming an actress from her teenage years with her good friend Toni, driving in Toni’s convertible Corvette in Hollywood along Hollywood and Sunset Blvd. Also sitting at Schwab’s Pharmacy, sipping soda, where famed actress Lana Turner was discovered. This continued years later driving through Montrose on Honolulu Ave with her kids, where TV, movies or commercials were being filmed. She would have her kids ask, “Do you need any extras?” as we drove by. One time we did get to meet the cast of the TV show CHiPs. A small dream came true when she did background work on Clint Eastwood’s movie “Bloodwork”.

One highlight was a makeover on “3-3-0 Steve Edwards Show”, where the popular celebrity stylist, José Ebar styled her hair in his Beverly Hills Salon. She was so proud of her 15 minutes of fame after her makeover, they commented that she resembled the actress Linda Evans. Anyone coming over to our house that following year were encouraged to watch her VHS tape of her makeover on the show. She did look absolutely fabulous! She was our Superstar! One of her favorite past times was sharing a family member’s birthday with Henry DiCarlo on KTLA morning news. She was known as his biggest fan!

After she retired, she volunteered as a Candy Striper at Verdugo Hills Hospital and right away they placed her in the Gift Shop due to her vibrant personality. She enjoyed helping others and socializing.

In 1997, she joyfully welcomed her first grandchild, Paige Ann Carlson. Four and a half years later, in 2002, her second grandchild, Jacob Brooks Carlson arrived. Her grandchildren saw her twice a week at least, until they went off to College. She was present for every birthday party, ballet, Dance, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Track and Field, T-Ball, Basketball, Football, Gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do, Art shows, Theatre presentations, background work and every single Graduation. She was the loudest cheerleader in the stands for her Grandkids.

In February 2017, Clark welcomed his daughter and Pat’s third grandchild, Ellie Ann Salinas, who currently reside in Houston Texas.

She taught her family multiple card games, holiday traditions, decorating, and festive foods for each holiday. Many loved her delicious Thanksgiving pies she baked. She loved family, and wanted to make sure we continued to stay close to family and not to lose that traditional holiday family time togetherness.

Patricia will be laid to rest joining her husband Manuel at Riverside National Cemetery in California. Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Service April 11, 2025 at 11:00 am.