Patricia Ann Dolin-Runyan

Patricia Ann Dolin was born on February 29th, 1932. She was a leap year baby, born at Methodist Hospital in Los Angeles California. She was the daughter of Ralph and Kathryn Dolin. As a young girl she roller skated down the hills of Berkeley California. Her family then moved to Toluca Lake in Southern California when she was 9 years old. She loved to dance and quickly found a studio close to her new home where she enrolled in tap dancing lessons. Patricia's father was in real estate and her brother and her often performed at the realtor dinner events as part of the entertainment. This was likely why she always dreamed of working in the movie or entertainment industry. 

She went to Corvallis High School which was a catholic all girls school located in studio city. There she met and married her high school sweetheart Richard E Runyan who attended the all boys high school, Notre Dame. Soon after Richard was drafted to war right out of high school and they found themselves traveling. During that time she was blessed with five children Dale, Lori, Jon, Linda, and Darlene. 

From there Patricia set out to get a job when her youngest started school. She worked at Children's Hospital Los Angeles from 1967-1973 where she played an integral part in the start up of the Regional Center of Los Angeles, which provides community support, resources, and services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Currently there are 21 in California today. After that she got a job at Cedars Sinai Medical Center from 1973-1978 and provided administrative services for the Nephrology Research Dept. Followed by Holy Cross Hospital from 1978-1985 where she provided administrative services to hospital department management. All the while she helped run their own restaurant Papa Jon's serving pizza and chicken. Patricia landed her dream job at Universal Studios in 1985. She worked in the post production department  for 15 years before retirement. 

Patricia is survived by her children Dale and Darlene. She is also survived by her grandchildren Rich, Jeff, Josh, Kelly, Becky, Ashley, Emmy Lou, Allison, and Kaylee and 14 great grandchildren. 

There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Patricia.  She was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer.  She had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around.  While she was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to her for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage.  Patricia was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with her loved ones.