Patricia Ann Obrien Bertrand

Patricia Ann Bertrand, 95, of La Jolla, California, died of natural causes on Thursday, March 10, 2016. Born June 2, 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to James Leslie Obrien and Mary Louise Hupp, she grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After graduating from Lead High School, she headed west to attend the University of California, Los Angeles. She pledged Alpha Gamma Delta and lived in the sorority house until her graduation in 1942, earning a BA degree in art and a secondary teaching credential. Patricia married Lt. Earl Lawrence “Larry” Bertrand, USMC, in Westwood on August 18, 1945, days after the end of World War II. The family moved from Los Angeles to San Diego County in 1950 and settled in their current home in La Jolla in 1963. Patricia was a member of St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in La Jolla.

Patricia’s interest in art was life-long; she painted, she visited art museums throughout the U. S. and Europe, and was an active supporter of museums in San Diego. Her artistic sensibility touched every aspect of her life. Patricia loved all things French – art, food, wine, and the language. She travelled extensively in Europe, returning time and again to France. She was herself an excellent cook, spending hours in the kitchen trying out new recipes.

An enthusiastic supporter of her sons’ early interest in reptiles and the life sciences, Patricia encouraged them and challenged herself to keep up with their later careers in science and medicine. She was, above all, a very proud mother, telling everyone she met about her sons’ accomplishments. A life-long learner, Patricia enrolled in extension courses at UCSD and SDSU, having a special interest in biomedical subjects. She was an active supporter of the Salk Institute and the UCSD School of Medicine.

Patricia is survived by three sons, Kevin (Marie) of La Jolla CA, Scott (Diane) of Greensboro NC, and Marc (Sharon) of Etna NH; six grandchildren, Azra (Seren), Patrick (Carrie), Chris (Marissa), Alex, Sylvie, and Nick; and two great-grandchildren, Ayla and Silas. Her husband Larry died on January 16, 2013.

A private graveside service will be held at El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037.