Patricia Pauline Stephan

Patricia Pauline Stephan was born November 22, 1940 in Cleveland Ohio. Patricia was the middle daughter of Polish Immigrants Jack and Helen Peters. While a young college student at Ohio State, my Mom also worked at a candy counter at the local store. One day a dashing young air force veteran approached the counter and asked my Mom to a dance. Mom looked over her shoulder thinking the man was talking to someone behind her and was surprised to learn this was not the case. Thus began a beautiful 4-decade love story. My parents left their respective families behind and struck out for California with about $300 and a well-used station wagon. They settled in and married in San Francisco, Ca. December 27, 1959 at the “Star of the Sea” Catholic church. I entered the picture May 22, 1961. My Mom would have liked everybody to note that I was not conceived until after the wedding. Shortly thereafter, my parents moved to the East Bay settling in Pleasant Hill, Ca. where we lived for the next 25 years.

My mom was very tough and determined. Mom ran the house, took care of me and my Dad, worked part time outside the home and returned to college to finish her degree. She eventually earned an MBA from Ca. State University, “Hayward.” For fun, my Mom learned to fly, achieving her private pilot’s license with instrument and commercial ratings. My Mom was a member of the 99er’s Women’s flying club. Whilst flying a small plane one day, the engine failed and my Mom made an emergency landing. A paperweight with the plane’s broken crankshaft was one of her favorite possessions. Mom learned to play chess, started a business appraising aircraft and was a minor partner of a fixed base aviation school. Also, my parents invested in real estate and Mom was involved in managing several of the properties.

In the early 1990s, my parents moved to Yreka, Ca., then on to Medford, Oregon to enjoy retirement living. Unfortunately, my Dad passed unexpectedly March of 1998. Mom moved to Livermore, Ca. To be near my family. My wife Carol looked after my Mom for several years and our son Marshall formed a special friendship with her. At this time, my Mom volunteered at the local library and taught reading skills to those in need. She also participated in the Widow and Widower’s group. This affiliation came to an end when my Mom started a relationship with my favorite, recently widowed, Uncle John (Stephan). They married in 2001 shortly after 9/11. They settled near Uncle John’s home in Kalispell Montana. So yes, I went from being an only child to having sibling/cousins John, Sarah and Peggy. Mom and John traveled the world, until my Uncle/Dad’s untimely passing in 2005.

My Mom tried to find happiness in her remaining years moving back to be near us in Livermore. We took Mom to Hawaii, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, weekly lunches, graduations, birthdays, numerous holidays, weddings, several plays and concerts until she grew tired of us and expanded her friendships with other relatives. Mom traveled the country with her favorite sister- in-law Mary Ann Williams. She formed a special friendship with her a niece Margaret Tumas and later Mom formed a friendship with another niece in Spring Texas, Ellen La Francis. In October 2016 Mom moved to Texas to be near cousin Ellen and her family. April 2021 Mom reconnected with her remaining sister Joan Delany, and moved to be near her in Quincy, Illinois. Unfortunately, this reunion was short lived as my Mom passed away from lingering injuries sustained in a fall. Mom leaves behind (me) her son Michael and his wife Carol. Grandson Marshall his wife Jennie and great granddaughter Olive. Additionally she leaves behind my sibling/cousins John (Suzanne) Stephan, Peggy (Dan) Duggan, and Sarah (Scott) Vanlue; sister-in-law Suzanne Carpenter and their respective families. She is preceded to be greeted in heaven by her parents Jack and Helen Peters, her sister Carole, husbands Robert Stephan, John Stephan; brother- in- law, Theodore; and sister- in- law Mary Ann. Per her request, no service will be held. A private burial to be joined with Robert Stephan at Eagle Point National Cemetery, Eagle Point, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Guide Dogs for the Blind of San Rafael, California.