Patricia Ann Klein

Patricia (Pat, Patty, Trisha) Klein (Ann, Garvin), 80, of Westlake Village, CA, died peacefully at Los Robles Hospital on October 7, 2023, after a short illness. She was surrounded by her loving children, and her first Westlake Village friend. Although she faced many health challenges in recent years, she maintained her zest for life and her “live in the moment,” attitude until the end.

Pat was born on May 6, 1943, in Huntington, New York and was the daughter of John and Virginia Garvin. As the youngest of three girls, Pat had a lot of wonderful stories about growing up in Huntington in the 1950’s. Even her three grandchildren knew about her teenage crush (obsession), Elvis Presley.

Pat graduated from Huntington High School and moved to New York City’s Gramercy Park neighborhood to work at a local bank. During her time there, she met her future husband, Stewart Klein (1943-2022), while working at Manufacturers Hanover bank in the Time Life building in Manhattan. She also made numerous lifelong friends from her early days in the city.

Pat was simultaneously falling in love with NYC and Stewart when a prominent client of the bank recruited her to come work for his talent company. This was not only a great job but also the catalyst for some of her best stories about life in the big city.

After four years together, Patricia married Stewart on May 27, 1967, in St. Patrick’s Church in Huntington, NY. Pat and Stew became parents on September 14, 1970, to daughter Tara Elizabeth Klein, and again on December 20, 1972, to Garvin Stewart Klein. Groundbreaking at the time, Pat chose to have a “natural” childbirth with Garvin, and with her blessing, it was recorded and broadcast on the live ABC television show, “People Places Things”. The episode was subsequently nominated for an Emmy award in 1973.

In 1973, Pat, Stew, Tara and Garvin moved to South Brunswick, NJ, where Pat developed many friendships, fell in love with Mahjong, volunteered at her children’s school, among other activities. A lifelong animal lover, she also made the executive decision to get the family’s first dog named “Tulip.” In 1977, Stew was offered an exciting career opportunity in Los Angeles and though reluctant to leave the New York area, Pat and family settled in Westlake Village, CA.

Pat’s first few years in Westlake Village left her feeling a bit like a “fish out of water.” If Pat detected a hint of an East Coast accent, she would pounce and immediately forge a connection. This singular style and verve resulted in many enduring friendships throughout Pat’s life.

While raising her children, Pat spent her time volunteering at Our Lady of Malibu school, working an array of part-time jobs including selling jewelry and Italian pastries, playing mahjong, and needle pointing. She looked forward to her “summer break” each year to visit her beloved older sister Joan on Shelter Island, NY. In the early years of California living, Pat relished hosting NY & NJ visitors with VIP trips to Disney Land, Universal Studios, Alice’s in Malibu, and the Bistro Gardens.

In 1987, Pat began the most significant and rewarding chapter of her professional life as she embarked on a career selling Real Estate. She began her time at Fred Sands Real Estate, working in partnership with another agent, which lasted for decades until Coldwell Banker purchased the company in 2000. Along with her then mentor and manager from Coldwell, Pat joined Rodeo Realty where she remained an active and top contributor to the end. Life in real estate was not only financially rewarding, but also opened the door to a vast and loyal community of colleagues and friends who would remain in her life and by her side until the day she died.

Pat had close and deeply fulfilling relationships with both of her children throughout her life. Nearly eighteen years ago, she became a Granny, a role that brought her limitless joy and pride. Doting on her two granddaughters, Ava and Charlotte, and grandson, Christian, was her most precious and gratifying pastime. In 2021, Pat was blessed once again as her daughter Tara married in Westlake surrounded by an abundance of flowers, family, and loving friends.

Though Pat’s health declined over the last 10 years, she placed even greater attention and focus toward caring for her husband, Stew, as he struggled with his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Despite these life hurdles, Pat’s social life remained as vibrant as ever. Although traveling on a plane became difficult, she readily drove up and down the freeways to hit the best restaurants, see performances, play mahjong in two counties, needlepoint with friends, attend parties, and sporting events. Rare was the occasion when Pat wasn’t spending time with her friends, her children or her grandchildren.

Although her last two-weeks of her life were spent at Los Robles Hospital, Pat in her interminable passion for life and people made an impression on the entire staff there. In turn, she was treated like a VIP guest at a Four Seasons Hotel. Though her body was failing her, Pat’s mind remained as strong and resolute as ever. She decided to enter hospice care and completed her life making her own decisions and doing it her way!

Pat will be remembered as a loving daughter, wife, mother, granny, aunt, mother-in-law, and friend. She also be remembered for her loyalty, determination, one track mind, and her willingness to help anyone and everyone (she liked!).

Pat is survived by daughter Tara Klein Nordyke; son Garvin Klein; grandchildren Ava Klein (17), Charlotte Klein (15), and Christian Klein (14); and by her daughter-in-law Jennifer Frost Klein and son-in-law Ryan Nordyke.

A celebration of Pat’s life is being planned for later this year.

In lieu of flowers donations in Pat’s name can be made to: The Los Robles Volunteer organization. It is a non-profit 501(c)3. Checks can be made out to Los Robles Hospital Volunteers, Inc. TAX ID# 95-3263505 and sent to 215 W. Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, Attention Volunteers. Please contact Director of Volunteers, Robin Segal at 805.370.4985 or [email protected] with any questions.