Born to Art and Eileen Palmer in Marshall, Minnesota on May 2 of 1941, Patty was the third of nine (NINE!) siblings. When she was 12, the family packed and moved to Southern California - in a bus. Patty loved the warmth and the sunshine, and decided that snow was only fun for vacations.
After Graduating from San Bernardino high school, Patty was working as in usherette in a movie theater, where she met and fell in love with Mike Park. They married in 1962, relocated to upstate New York where Mike was stationed, and had two children, Terri and Doug. In 1970, they bought a cute house in Solana Beach, California, and they got a cat.
In 1976, they got a divorce.
Suddenly, Patty found herself a single mom with two kids to raise, and unsure of how to start over.
And then…she blossomed.
She boldly moved to the middle of the desert, bought a cute little house for Terri and Doug to grow up in, and got a job as a bank teller. She put a ridiculously oversized camper shell on her tiny yellow Chevy Luv truck, and took the kids camping, and drove it to a family reunion in Colorado. She learned how to fix a hot water heater, and took ballroom dance lessons. In other words, she showed the same resilience and determination to flourish that we all loved her for. It didn’t matter how life tried to knock her down, she had a good cry, rolled up her sleeves, and got about the business of doing what needed to be done. She never gave up.
It took a while for Patty to find Mr. right, but she did. In 1980, she joined a bicycling club, and it was there that she met the love of her life, Jim Snyder. They married on April 23 in 1983, and were wholly dedicated to one another for the rest of their lives.
They loved Diamondback baseball games and going to concerts or cruises with friends. Patty loved her gardening, and enjoyed sipping her coffee in the early mornings, watching the birds in the yard before the heat set in. Inside, Conway (and then Conway 2) entertained the couple and their cats.
Eventually, Jim’s two kids, James and Lisa, and Terri and Doug all grew up and moved away. Then, the grandkids began to arrive, bringing sunshine to Patty and Jim. Then, doting on greatgrandkids and other family members showed how very organized Patty was - calendars, files, notepads, and Post-it’s were every day tools for Patty, and she always planned everything months in advance.
Bringing love and joy to family and friends was Patty’s joy, and she had a flair for celebration, with matching plates and napkins and decor for every event.
The beach has always had a hold of Patty’s heart. After losing Jim last October, Patty was looking forward to feeling better and making a trip this September to San Diego. She planned to visit with family, and feel the warm sand on her toes. During that September week near the sea, Patty’s family will still gather, and her presence will be felt as her ashes are spread on the same ground as her beloved husband’s.
Patty is loved, missed and survived by daughter Terri (Linda) Park, son Doug (Kristin)Park, beloved stepchildren Lisa (Jim)Solares and James (Nicole) Snyder, as well as Sisters Kathy Butler, Donna (Bob) Donaldson, Monica (Kent) Bowcutt,and Cherie (Ken) Decker. In addition to beloved nieces and nephews, grandchildren Alexander (Janet) and Jeremy Jauregui, Adam, Sydney (Noah) and Sean Park, Nick (Michelle) Grothe, Michelle (Mike) Doss, Daniel, Ian, and Sara Solares, Emma, Amelia, and Chloe Park.
She will be deeply missed.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17