DOWNEY – Patricia Van Riper passed away May 17 at the age of 90 in Vista, Calif. She leaves behind her daughters, Teresa (Cliff), Gretchen (Jim) and Victoria (Tom); her niece, Augusta (Bob); and grandchildren, Jessica, Courtney, Amanda, Patrick, Katrina and Madeline.

She was born in Wichita Falls, Tex., to Frances and Chester Bailes. She attended Ursuline Academy in Dallas and graduated from North Dallas High School. She moved with her mother and sister, Marian, to Los Angeles in the ‘40s.

During World War II, Pat worked at Hughes Aircraft. She met and married Courtney Chapman Van Riper in Los Angeles. They settled in Downey, where they lived for many years and raised their family.

Pat was a lifelong Episcopalian and founding member of St. Mark’s Church in Downey, where she and her husband attended for 36 years. At St. Mark’s, she taught Sunday school, served on the Altar Guild and opened and helped run the gift shop.

She volunteered and served as president of the Downey chapter of the National Assistance League. She also volunteered for the Children’s Theatre and Downey Museum of Art. She was awarded “Homemaker of the Year” by the Junior Women’s Club of Downey several times in the 50s and early 60s.

Pat also owned the needlecraft shop, The Garden, in Downey, where she taught needlework and stitching. She and her husband were members of “La Danza”, a dancing group in Downey.

Upon her husband’s retirement in 1985, the couple moved to Ocean Hills in Oceanside.

After Van’s passing, she was remarried to Dave Davison, who also predeceased her.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Downey on Saturday, June 14, at 1 p.m.

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Published: June 5, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 08