She was born and raised in Rochester, New York. She was the oldest of six children. She graduated from Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, New York, with a bachelors degree in teaching. It was there that she met her loving husband of 58 years, Ray Delton Steel. After their marriage they moved to Oregon.
Patricia raised three boys, John, James, and Joseph Steel. She was a teacher, a realtor, a painter, a property owner, and a volunteer. She was also an artist and did much of the remodeling on her property herself. Patricia was kind, stalwart, and resilient.
Patricia is preceded in death by her sons James, her parents Cy and Loretta, and her brothers Michael and Joe. She is survived by her husband, Ray, sons John and Joseph, brother Charles, sisters Mary and Linda, 14 grandchildren, and a number of great-grandchildren.