Patricia Ann Picton

Patricia Ann Picton passed away on July 5, 2019 after a relapse of Leukemia. Pat was born on December 30, 1936 in San Rafael, California to Francis and Ortrud Burt. Pat was the youngest of three girls, with sisters Dale and Margaret. Growing up Pat enjoyed participating in Camp Fire Girls, camping, hiking and swimming. Pat went to San Jose State where she joined the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and made lifelong friends as she completed a Bachelors degree in Education. While at San Jose State she met and married her husband, Richard Eugene Picton in 1958. Together they had four children, Sandra, Debra, Steven and David. Pat stayed home raising the children for 14 years and then returned to teaching, working to become a reading specialist, something she felt so strongly about. Pat and Dick moved from northern California to Texas for a brief 5 years then returning to Burlingame, California where they settled to raise their children. Pat was an active member of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church and the community in Burlingame for over 20 years. When it came time for retirement, she and Dick moved to Elk Grove, California into a wonderful senior community on a lake. Once there she and Dick became involved with Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church.

Pat expressed her love for reading to her 13 grandchildren by always sending them beautifully, illustrated story books. Pat never went anywhere without a book. If Pat had a book and her cat, Jack nearby she was happy. Pat was always ready to go to the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, musicals and plays with her girlfriends. She enjoyed eating out and taking weekend trips to Yosemite, Monterey and Carmel. Pat’s love of the water and the ocean only intensified as she aged. She loved to swim daily in a community pool and later in the neighborhood pool where she and Dick moved for retirement. 

After raising their children, Pat and Dick enjoyed traveling all over the United States and internationally several times. Any place on the water, including ocean and river cruises was a favorite place for a trip. Pat’s love for travel and putting together her photo albums continued. Pat lost her husband, Dick in 2005 after 47 years of marriage. 

In 2008 Pat was diagnosed with Leukemia. She successfully battled the disease and it went into remission following chemotherapy. She enjoyed eleven wonderful years until the disease returned in 2019.

Pat stayed connected to many good friends, her Gamma Phi Beta sisters and of course of her family. Grandma Pat, as she was called by her grandchildren, never forgot a birthday, a holiday or a special event. Pat traveled to see her family, tirelessly working to make everyone feel special and loved by her. Pat leaves a legacy of strong love of family and commitment, a desire to learn and a love of the water.

As life grew more complicated for Pat in January of 2018 due to health issues, her son David and daughter in law Sarah graciously opened their home to assist. This allowed Pat to continue enjoying her book club, plays, musicals and her good friends as long as she was able. In April of 2019 she moved permanently to Albuquerque, New Mexico with daughter Sandra and son in law Mike.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Ortrud Burt, her sister, Dale Broaddus, her son Steven Picton and her grandson, Zachary Hollis. Pat is survived by her sister, Margaret and her husband Tom Teare, her three children, Sandra and her husband Mike Hollis, Debra and her husband Mike Levine, David and his wife Sarah Riggsby Picton, Steven’s widow, Teri  Picton, 12 grandchildren and  Jack the cat who now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico with Sandra and Mike.

A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on July 27, 2019 at 1:00 Pm at Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church, 9085 Calvine Rd. Sacramento, California, 95829.
 
Memorial donations in Pat’s name may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation which she supported over the years.
 

Daniels Family Funeral Services
7601 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-821-0010