Search by Name
Search by Name
Patricia Ann Colombe
July 19, 1938 - October 21, 2017
Resident of San Jose
Patricia Ann Menzel Colombe spent her life in the Bay Area. She was born in Oakland, California, on July 19, 1938, and died peacefully at home in San Jose on October 21, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She was the only child of Edwin Menzel and Katherine Zec Menzel and the grandchild of Santa Clara Valley orchardists. She worked for the City of San Jose as a City Planner for 30 years and devoted herself to the Santa Clara Dog Training Club and the Historic Landmarks Commission in her retirement. She loved cities, her community, and Naglee Park especially. As a board member of Preservation Action Council of San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley Water District's Environmental Advisory Committee, Campus Community Association and especially Bark in the Park, she remained involved in civic activities until her cancer diagnosis in late 2016. She was blessed with a particular joie de vivre and touched her friends and family with her enthusiasm and sense of humor. An excellent cook and gardener, she shared her talents and loved to entertain. She traveled extensively in Europe, including to Croatia to visit family. As a proud alumna of Bishop O'Dowd High School ('57), she attended UC Berkley's School of Environmental Design where she earned both a Bachelor's (BA '71) and Master's degree (MCP '89).
Everyone who knew Pat knew her devotion to design and her steady hand at the social particulars of human interaction. She loved life and let her curiosity and discernment guide her without fuss. Known to work long hours, she was often late to appointments, could be stubborn now and again, always made an extra effort to add a touch of appreciation for others and their contributions. She will be missed in all her realms.
She is survived by a son, Leroy Colombe, and a daughter, Audrey Colombe, her long time companion, James R. Williams, daughters-in-law Lola Colombe and Martha Serpas, grandchildren Griffin Colombe and Ken Colombe, devoted cousins Marlyn Carlsen (and her husband Chuck Carlsen), Kathleen McGraw (and her husband Michael McGraw), Ane Bagoje (and her husband Pete Bagoje), Janis Moore, Jody McKellar (and her husband John Ahner), and Marla Ayoung along with sons Akim McKellar and Tashyi Ayoung. Pat's cherished dog Kai was at her side to the end.
Family and friends are invited to a Visitation Friday, November 10, 2017 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. at LIMA-CAMPAGNA-ALAMEDA MISSION CHAPEL, 600 S. Second Street, San Jose. Funeral Service in Celebration of her Life will be on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the above chapel. Interment to follow Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln Street, Santa Clara. Visitors to the mortuary who are also gardeners are encouraged to bring flowers or greenery from their yards in a mason jar. Donations in memory of Pat can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network https://www.pancan.org/; Santa Clara Dog Training Club http://www.santaclaradog.org/index.html; or Preservation Action Council of San Jose http://www.preservation.org The family asks that Pat also be remembered by idiosyncractic acts of beauty and kindness.
View the online memorial for Patricia Ann Colombe
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Nov
10
5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Lima-Campagna-Alameda Mission Chapel600 South Second Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Nov
11
11:00 a.m.
Lima-Campagna-Alameda Mission Chapel600 South Second Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Funeral services provided by:
Lima-Campagna-Alameda Mission Chapel600 South Second Street, San Jose, CA 95112
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more