Patricia Anita Thompson Brunotts

Patricia Anita Thompson Brunotts, 83, of Redondo Beach, California, passed away on January 23, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. Patricia (Pat) was born on January 27, 1939, the second child to Marguerite and Arnold Thompson in Teaneck, New Jersey. The Thompsons lived in Westwood, New Jersey where Patricia graduated from Westwood High School in 1957. While growing up in Westwood, Patricia loved the performing arts and horses. She performed in many plays and musicals in High School and was often found riding horses in her free time.

Pat went on to attend the Oberlin Conservatory at Oberlin College in Ohio where Pat played the French Horn and studied voice. During her studies at Oberlin, Pat studied music oversees in Salzburg, Austria at the Mozarteum.

Upon graduation from Oberlin, Pat moved to New York City to pursue a career on Broadway. One evening, when out for drinks with mutual friends, Pat met her future husband, Frank Brunotts, who also happened to be an Oberlin grad. Frank and Pat eloped to Niagra Falls, New York in November of 1962. The two went on to have three children, Frank A., Anthony, and Valerie. Pat was also blessed with four grandchildren, Taylor, Katharine, Christopher, and Nicholette. She was married for 58 years to Frank who passed away in 2020.

Frank and Pat started their family in a small one-bedroom apartment in New York City in 1963 before moving to a house in the country on 40 acres in Torrington, Connecticut in 1971 and then making a big move to Walnut Creek, California in 1978. After Frank Sr. and Anthony passed away in 2020, she made a move to Redondo Beach, CA in 2021 to be close to Valerie.

Pat excelled at entertaining both on stage and off.  She hosted the most beautiful dinner parties in her homes. During her time in Torrington, she was the musical director of the Thomaston Opera House. Pat also thoroughly enjoyed being on stage in musicals, directing the pit orchestra, teaching private music lessons specializing in voice, piano, and violin, and directing church choirs.

Pat had the most endearing love for her family. She sacrificed everything for their health and happiness. She was the ultimate caregiver, always putting others first.

Music was Pat’s next love.  Music is what Pat used to celebrate the good times and helped get her through the bad times. Pat loved all types of music including classical, jazz, Broadway show tunes, and most recently, Irish folk music. Pat’s voice was a memorable Mezzo-Soprano voice that she showcased often singing in the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, at family weddings, and events with friends.

Pat’s love for animals was next on her list of loves. She raised several cats and dogs during her lifetime and enjoyed riding horses as a young lady.  She also admired all types of animals and often talked about visiting the zoo.

Pat was the most consistent and caring friend to many. If you were lucky enough to call her your friend, you had a friend for life. Friends were very important to her, almost on par with family. Pat was the most loving Mother and wife a family could ask for. Her generosity and optimistic outlook were contagious.

Pat was predeceased by her husband, Frank William Brunotts, her son Anthony Michele Brunotts, her father Arnold Plant Thompson and her mother Marguerite Julianna Thompson. She is survived by her son Frank Amadeo Brunotts, her daughter Valerie Angela Brunotts Reid, her daughter-in-law Stephanie Santos Brunotts, her son-in-law Robert Daniel Reid, her brother Ronald J. Thompson, and his wife Madeline Thompson, three nieces and one nephew and her four beautiful grandchildren Taylor Santos Brunotts, Katharine Santos Brunotts, Christopher Albert Reid, and Nicholette Capri Reid.

The family requests that all flowers and notes be sent to Valerie Reid 112 South Lucia Avenue Unit A Redondo Beach, CA 90277 and Frank Brunotts 20943 Cohasset Terrace Ashburn, VA 20147. Donations can also be made on behalf of Patricia to the Animal Rescue or Music Education charity of your choice. There will be a private celebration of life for immediate family and friends to be announced soon.

"I think a life in music is a life beautifully spent, and this is what I have devoted my life to." Luciano Pavarotti