Patricia Johnson

“Your mother is always with you. She is the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street. She is the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself…

Patricia Ruth and her twin brother, John, were born to John and Mary James on August 16, 1933, in Helena, Montana. The family, including her sister Dot and brother Ken, eventually settled in Lynwood, California, where Pat attended local schools. After high school, she went to Mount Saint Mary’s College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing. While working on her degree, Pat was part of a local young adult Catholic group where she met her future husband Richard. They married on September 11, 1954, and were married until his passing on March 18, 2003. Richard and Pat would go on to have six children and settle in Monrovia, California.

Throughout her life, Pat would have many interests and hobbies. She loved to read and would often come home from the library with a stack of books. She had a green thumb and enjoyed working in her garden and tending to her roses and orchids. Pat loved to cook and bake and collect recipes, often sharing her favorites with her children. Over the years, she took classes where she reupholstered and refinished furniture for family members, as well as herself. Pat was part of the Garden Club and Old House Preservation Society of Monrovia. She also volunteered at her children’s parochial school and helped out with Scouting.

In the mid 1970’s, Pat began working as an RN at Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte. She worked at the hospital until she retired in the late 1990’s. She lived in the same house for over 50 years and the memories created there brought her much joy. In 2017, she moved to assisted living at the Kensington in Sierra Madre. Four years ago she moved into their memory care community. The guiding principle of the Kensington is caring for the residents as they would their own family. Indeed, she gained a second family and was loved and cared for all the years she lived at the Kensington, for which we are grateful. Pat passed on July 18, 2026, less than a month shy of her 93rd birthday.

In her passing, Pat will be remembered for her love of family, especially her grandchildren, her sense of humor and sense of adventure, and her willingness to start up a conversation with anyone. She is survived by her children, Martin (Connie), Dennis (Esther), Alicia, Greg (Jennifer), and Monica (Mats). Her first born daughter Theresa, passed in 2010. Pat also leaves behind nine grandchildren, Lindsey, Melissa, Serena, Danielle, Isabelle, Katie, Gabriel, Brian, and Lucas, as well as six great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 am on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Holy Angels Catholic Church. The church is located at 370 Campus Drive, Arcadia, California. In lieu of flowers, we request that you make a donation to your favorite charity or plant your favorite flowers in your yard in her honor.

She is the cool on your brow when you are not feeling well. She is the sound of rain that lulls you to sleep. She is Christmas morning. Your mother lives inside your laughter. She is the place you came from, your first home and she is the map you follow with every step you take. She is your first love and friend, but nothing on earth can separate you - not time, not space… not even death.”

Deborah R. Culver