Patricia Dorothea Williams' Obituary
Patricia Dorothea (Da Ross) Williams was born on May 23, 1939 in Chicago, IL and passed away March 15, 2026 in Escondido, CA at the age of 86. Pat was raised in Riverside and San Gabriel, CA, graduated from Temple City High School in 1957, and earned a C.D.A. in dentistry from Pasadena City College (the first woman in her family to complete education beyond high school). She worked as a dental assistant in Arcadia for ten years and traveled throughout the South Pacific and Australia along with her sister, a registered nurse, with a two year visa as professional women.Pat married Richard Eugene Williams in 1970 and they resided in, and raised their two children in Temple City until his passing from cancer in 2006. She then lived in retirement communities in Bradbury, San Marcos, and Escondido.Her special interests included gardening, herbal crafts, culinary pursuits, oil painting, attending plays, musicals, and concerts (particularly for southern gospel quartets, in which her late husband sang bass). Pat helped many people with her generosity and very extensive volunteer service record with schools & PTA (everything from helping kids learn to read in the classroom to PTA President at her kids’ elementary school and high school), L.A. County Arboretum, Herb Society of America (life member), various professional organizations, community organizations, church committees, teaching children’s Sunday school classes, and more. Her knowledge of herb use, gardening, and crafts were featured in several newspaper articles and journals.She is survived by sons Phil (& wife Denise, grandchildren Grace & Jacob) and Robert (& wife Joanna, grandchildren Joseph, Alyssa, Larsen & Juliet, great grandchildren Jarren, Lola, Cameron, Uriel, Adalynn & Ashton), siblings Mary Barrett, Jackie (& husband Steve) Palmer, Jim (& wife Pam) Da Ross, and a host of cousins, nieces & nephews.She was preceded in death by parents Lee & Pauline Da Ross, siblings Lionel (“Lad”) Da Ross & Kathy Ross.She is inturned at Riverside National Cemetery alongside her late husband Richard, a naval veteran.In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to:Operation Smile 3641 Faculty Blvd,. Virginia Beach, VA 23453Pasadena Christian School 1515 N. Los Robles Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Pl. Memphis, TN 38105Turning Point Ministries P.O. Box 3838 San Diego, CA 92163…or honor Pat’s memory by contributing to or volunteering for a cause that is dear to you.
What’s your fondest memory of Patricia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Patricia?
Share a story where Patricia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Patricia you’ll never forget.
How did Patricia make you smile?

