Obituary of Patricia Torrance

Patricia Ann Patterson Torrance, beloved wife of Peter, died May 19, 2016 at age of 92. Patti was born in Sioux City, Iowa to a registered nurse and a telegraph operator. She came early and was very small. Her mother kept her warm in the kitchen by the wood stove. She was always petite and was under 5 foot at her full height. She grew up in California. During WWII, while still in high school, she went to work as a switch board operator for Pacific Telephone in San Francisco. She retired from Pacific Tele in 1980. Patti was one of the first women who made management with the company. A PE major in college, she played basketball. She loved sports her whole life especially the San Diego Chargers and the Padres. She loved to travel and even went to SE Asia with the Chargers for games. Patti met Pete in San Francisco but he was soon stationed in San Diego while serving in the US Navy. She followed him there and they were married in 1944. In October 2010, they sold their home of 50 years in Pacific Beach and moved to Killen to be closer to their daughter. Patti was a faithful member of Harrison Chapel United Methodist Church and loved attending church and being with her Church family. She was preceded in death by her parents Earl Patterson and Florence Lindquist Patterson and her only sibling sister Mary Shoemaker. She is survived by her husband of 72 years Peter J. Torrance and her children John Torrance and wife Carmella of Wilderville, Oregon and Liz Hawk and husband John of Killen. She has three grandchildren Jason Torrance of Oregon, Heather O'Kelley and husband Josh of Lexington and Emily Singleton and husband Jason of Killen. She also leaves 3 great grands Andrew Smith and Joshua O'Kelley of Lexington and Savannah Smith and husband Jarred of JBER Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska and great great granddaughter Lydia Grace due in August. She also leaves 2 nephews Dr. Patrick Shoemaker of San Diego and Mickey Shoemaker of Durango, Mexico and their families. A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at Harrison Chapel UMC, 1365 County Road 65 (Brush Creek Rd), Killen. Brother Joshua Clayton will officiate. The family would like to thank all her caregivers: granddaughter Heather O'Kelley, Lori Clayton, Faye Clayton, Jean Thornton, Linda Pierce, Charlene Lanier, and Becky Myrick, all who treated her as if she was their mother and also Tennessee Valley Hospice and their staff. These wonderful people and her Church family allowed Patti's last days to be on her terms. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sahara Orphanage c/o Harrison Chapel PO Box 118, Killen, Alabama. Greenhill Funeral Home is assisting the family with all arrangements.