Patricia Ann Bryson

Patricia (Pat) Bryson was born October 3, 1929, the third of five children to Mark and Sophia. The family was raised in Detroit, Michigan. As a young woman, she worked at a radio station in downtown Detroit. She fondly recalled the glamour of being a working girl in the city in the 1950s. She also traveled to Cuba with friends during this time.

Pat married Herbert Bryson and they had two children, Steven and Thomas. They lived in Michigan until they moved to Naples, Florida. While in Florida, Pat enjoyed many creative projects working with the shells she found on the beach. Her most satisfying moments were the births of her sons, Steve and Tom.

Pat and Hebert divorced, and Pat worked as an administrator for a variety of companies, most notably at Caterpillar for many years. She was fiercely independent and proud to be self-reliant, enjoying an active life on her own terms.

Pat was a lively, social person. Bowling was a passion for many years. She also loved crossword puzzles, golf, reading and crocheting. Pat was also an adventurous traveler. She was always searching for travel companions to accompany her to destinations as varied as Alaska and New Zealand.

In the year 2000 she followed her son, Tom, to the Phoenix area where she made a home and found a respite from the cold winters of Michigan. Together, Pat and Tom traveled the southwest extensively and pursued rockhounding. She found many interesting rocks which she used to landscape her home in Mesa, Arizona.

Pat was a great cook, and her sons fondly recall many of her special dishes. Every year for Christmas she made multiple batches of cookies along with zucchini, banana and pumpkin quick breads that she was sure to share. In her final years, she took pleasure in dining out with Tom at a wide variety of restaurants in the Mesa, Phoenix and Scottsdale area. Pat also attended St. George Catholic Church in Apache Junction.

Pat passed quietly in the comfort of her home shortly after a visit from her two sons and daughter-in-law.

She is survived by her two sons, Steve and Tom, and by her sister Shirley Schneider.

Pat is preceded by, Mark Swartz, Mary Jane Sanders and Kendall Swartz.

A memorial service for Patricia will be held Friday, February 9, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park in the Agave Venue, 6747 East Broadway Road, Mesa, Arizona 85206.