March 14, 1949 - May 15, 2020

Patricia Sue Aparicio passed away peacefully in her home in Downey on May 15, 2020 at the age of 71, concluding an arduous and long-fought battle with cancer.
Patty’s life can be best described by her loved ones as having been full of glowing and unabashed generosity, selflessness, and compassion. She was born on March 14, 1949 in Illinois to a pilot Herman (Gus) Portman and nurse Ida Lee (Bert) Portman. They moved to Palos Verdes, California when Patty was still a child, where Patty would reminisce about an idyllic upbringing; swimming in the tide pools and hearing seals barking in the distance. In her twenties, she raised two children (Donovan and Cari) with first husband Bill Niles in Hawaii, where they all frequently sailed and explored the sea together. Patricia moved back to California and remarried Edward Aparicio in February 1982, where they spent 4 years together fishing, camping, water skiing, and attending countless music concerts before settling in Downey and having two more children, David and Mark.
Raising and supporting her children had always been her primary occupation for which she executed with a surplus of hugs, love, and laughter. Blessed with the gift of the gab, she enjoyed long conversations about practically any topic, and would make you feel like the only person in her world. No matter if you were discussing the weather or recent heartbreaks, she could always find a way to cheer you up and make you feel loved and appreciated.
Aside from spending time with loved ones, Patty enjoyed tending to her yard, always keeping a steady array of sweet alyssum, roses, and lilies on display. She possessed a green thumb that was no doubt an extension of her formidable nurturing intuition. She also loved collecting antiques, and tried her hardest keeping as many family heirlooms as possible. She always loved telling the history of a particular item that has passed through generations of hands within our family.
In the week leading up to her final days, Patty spent an extended weekend with family at her son David’s new home in the Northern California forests. By the end of the trip, Patty remarked that she feels like she has received everything she had ever wanted in this world. She passed away days later surrounded by her husband, all four of her children, and other dear friends.
Patty is survived by her husband of 38 years Edward Aparicio, four children Donovan Niles, Cari Shuart, David Aparicio, and Mark Aparicio, grandchildren Brittni, Noah, Zoe, Kai, Katy, Oliver, and Violet, great grandchild Rolland, and sister Penny Portman. It was her wishes to be immediately cremated and her ashes spread over the sea. There will be no formal funeral. If you wish to pay respects, simply perform a kind act for the day and dedicate it to her memory, for nothing in the world would make Patty happier than knowing that even in death, she could still help make people feel loved and cared for.