Patricia M. HABEL

HABEL, Patricia M. (nee Howe)
Died on January 24, 2010, at the age of 49. The cause of death was lung cancer.
Ms. Habel leaves her husband, Timothy J. Howe and her son, John T. Howe, age 14.
After graduation from Rio Americano High
School in 1978, Ms. Habel attended the University of California at Davis, graduating in 1982 with a degree in political science. After working on the re-election campaign of Senator Leroy Greene, she went to work in the district office of Congressman Vic Fazio.
In 1987, she began over twenty years of service with the California State Legislature. During her time in the Capitol she served as committee consultant to the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee under Assemblyman Johan Klehs, legislative assistant to Assemblyman Tom Umberg, and Capitol Chief of Staff to Assembly members Kerri Mazzoni and Betty Karnette. From 2001-2003, during the Davis Administration, she also served as Assistant Secretary of Education for Legislative Affairs under Secretary Mazzoni. Her last job was Director of the Legislative Women's Caucus under Assembly member Patti Berg.
In March, 2007, she left the Legislature to be at home for her son.
Ms. Habel and her husband were married in 1985. Their son John was born in 1995.
Besides her husband and son, Ms. Habel leaves her mother, Elizabeth Habel, her brother Robert Habel (Marilu), her sisters Janet Botula (Al) and Laurie Habel, two step-children Robert Howe (Linda) and Julie Starbird (Brian), nephews Nicholas and Robert Habel, Jeff Botula, and Jonathan Morrissey, and nieces Katie Botula and Kristen Morrissey. She was also the expectant grandmother of twins.
Ms. Habel was born on July 20, 1960 in Sacramento. Ms. Habel was the quintessential American: the descendent of Pilgrims (Bradford) on her father's side and the daughter of an immigrant.
Ms. Habel was known for her wonderfully positive personally. To know Patti was to like and love her. She was strong and spirited. She was always a cheerful, supportive, positive, friendly and non-judgmental person. For her life was always good, even during trying and sad times; ordinary days were special days for her. Besides being a loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter and sister, Patti was a progressive-minded, nature loving person. She loved to travel and was a gourmet cook. She will be forever remembered by friends and family for her enthusiasm for life.
She spent 47 years being grateful for her life and two years being grateful for the support of her friends and family during her illness.
Services will be on Friday, January 29 at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral located at 27th and Capital Avenues. Remembrances may be made to the Sacramento SPCA, 6201 Florin-Perkins Road, Sacramento 95828, the American River Foundation, 5700 Arden Way Carmichael 95608, or the Sacramento Food Bank, 3333 3rd Avenue, Sacramento, 95817