Patricia S. Roth

Patricia Skowron was born on December 17, 1927 in Sharpsburg, a small urban community within Pittsburgh, PA. She was one of nine children and the youngest daughter of Kazimierz and Julia Swiatek Skowron. Baptized “Sophia Patricia”, she chose to be known as “Patricia” or simply “Pat” during most of her life.

Educated in Pittsburgh area schools, Pat showed her ambition after high school through her employment, first at the Thomas Machine Company in Etna, then as a waitress in the Kaufmann’s department store restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh, and finally by becoming a dance instructor at Arthur Murray Studios. During her time as a dance instructor, she met the man she would marry. When the marriage ended, Pat Roth relocated to Los Angeles and began working as a cocktail waitress. She often thought to resurrect her role as a dance instructor.

Her life changed in 1967 when she took a job with the fashion design firm of Galanos Originals; she continued to work with James Galanos until 2000, advancing to be his office manager. Mr. Galanos dressed the famous and the socially prominent — the ladies who lunched, from Park Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue — and outfitted Mrs. Reagan on four inaugural occasions, twice after Ronald Reagan was elected governor of California and twice after he became president. And Pat was happily involved in each and every one of those client transactions.

Settling in to life near Beverly Hills, she found her apartment in West Hollywood, where she remained for fifty-plus years. Pat became an active member of the Assistance League of Southern California, and was a volunteer for “Meals on Wheels” in Beverly Hills.

Pat’s style echoed that of the designs she embraced at Galanos, and she wore them well. She enjoyed a sunny stroll along Hollywood Boulevard or Rodeo Drive, then lunch at La Scala. Many of the friends she had during her employment remained in touch with her. For years Pat hosted a New Year’s Day lunch for her colleagues from work.

If you were fortunate to visit her home, you were quickly taught her ‘procedure’ for gaining entry, then were offered a cocktail. Pat loved to entertain, to travel, and to be out and about. She set her aim high and worked hard to achieve whatever she set out to do. She was independent, determined, strong-willed, generous, and a realist.

To so many, she was known as “Aunt Pat”, as she was loved and admired by her numerous nephews and nieces. She was the generous Aunt from the West Coast, who always remembered special events. Aunt Pat also enjoyed her multiple grandnephews and grandnieces, and great-grandnephews and great-grandnieces. She especially enjoyed the holidays, and spending time with family, whenever possible. She treasured all who kept in touch with her, and was sincerely appreciative of a kind gesture, no matter how small… a truly gracious lady. Her kindness was a tribute to her beliefs.

Pat was the last of her siblings: brothers Martin, John, Stanley, Tony, and Edward; sisters, Albina (aka Sister Virginette), Helen, and Emilie.

Pat passed at home on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021. She was blessed to reach the age of 94 and now rests at peace in the arms of her Lord.

Services will be held 10:00 AM Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to your favorite charity.