Patricia Jean Archer

Patricia (Patty) Jean Archer, 88, died on June 2, 2015 at Aviara Healthcare in Encinitas, CA. She died peacefully, having been surrounded by her loving family these past several months. She is survived by her brother-in-law, Dr. Matthew Davis; sister-in-law, Carolyn Archer; nephews, Peter Davis, Fred and Rick Archer; nieces Ann Davis-Martinez, Amy and Lisa Davis; nephew-in-law Santiago Martinez; niece-in-law Ann Archer; grandnephews, Joshua Martinez-Davis and Aaron Archer, and grandnieces, Allison Martinez-Davis and Sarah Archer. She is predeceased by her sister Barbara Davis, brother Thomas Archer, and nephew Matt Davis.

Patty was born in Dale, Wisconsin on April 12, 1927. In 1957, she became a registered nurse upon graduation from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, Madison, WI. She later graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Nursing and a minor in Psychology.

In the late 1950’s to the late 1960’s Patty worked as a Staff Nurse and Head Nurse at Children’s Hospital of the East Bay/Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Northern California (change of names in 1964 per http://www.100amazingyears.org/). In the early 1970’s, Patty relocated to San Diego, and rose from Staff Nurse to Supervisor of Pediatrics at the then recently completed University Hospital (http://ucsd.edu/timeline/), which is now known as the University of California San Diego Hillcrest Medical Center. In the 1980’s, Patty served as a Registered Nurse in the San Diego Unified School District.

Over the course of her pediatric nursing career, Patty focused much of her attention on the area of death and dying within pediatric oncology, establishing home health care teams to support children and their families in making the end of life transition.

She later applied these skills to the great benefit of all involved within her own family in caring for her nephew Matt and sister Barbara prior to their deaths in 1992 and 1999, respectively.

In January of this year, Patty had a fall and sustained fractures of both her right thigh and her right upper arm. She declined surgical intervention due to the risks involved and proceeded to make the best of a very challenging situation.

Patty will be remembered by all who knew her for her graceful assistance to her patients, friends, and family through the dying process, her generous heart, her courage, her humor, and her unconditional love and support of family and friends. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of all she touched and taught.

We are grateful to Las Villas De Carlsbad, Aviara Healthcare, and Elizabeth Hospice for providing the care that Patty desired in a lovingly supportive and compassionate environment. The entire family was able at all times, either in person or via the internet, to accompany Patty as she made her peaceful transition from body to spirit.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice or Elizabeth Hospice.

Donations may be sent to:

Elizabeth Hospice

500 La Terraza Blvd

Escondido, CA

92025