Patricia J. Frustaci

"All or nothing" That is what Patricia Jorgensen Frustaci believed about life. She was a creative woman, a perpetual adventurer, who seemed to be able to overcome insurmountable obstacles confronting her. She had faith in her ability to tap into the reservoir of resolve aided along the way by loving and compassionate family members. Patricia thoroughly enjoyed exploring the world around her. She possessed an inquisitive, confident, and fun nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Patricia was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do.

Patricia was born on November 19, 1954 at Hill Air Force Base in Hill Field, Utah. Her parents were Richard Dow Jorgensen and Bonnie Mell Palfreyman. Patricia was raised in Fullerton and Orange, California. She showed her ingenuity and curiosity even as a child. When she was confronted with a problem, Patricia could develop an imaginative solution, and she derived satisfaction from knowing she had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Patricia's family relationships. Patricia was raised with 6 siblings. Patricia was the oldest followed by Julie, Susan, Joyce, Richard, David, and Scott. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Patricia was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young girl, Patricia could be found learning and exploring new and different things. She was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. Patricia took part in piano lessons, tennis with siblings, riding her teal colored bike, and tossing the football with her dad at the Irvine Park on Sundays. She was a member of Blue Birds and Campfire Girls as a young girl. In her spare time, she liked to journal, listen to music, collecting albums, playing piano, academics, reading, board games, card games, and watching TV especially Young and the Restless. Patricia's memorable moments included winning Best Speech at a church activity and being able to play "Born Free" and "Alley Cat" on the Piano.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how her world worked, Patricia enjoyed her education, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and analyzing complex problems. Patricia was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and cross referencing to other areas of thought thus illuminating and enriching the learning experience. She graduated from El Modena High School in 1972. Her favorite class in high school was English Literature and Drama Club. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Mrs. Maryane Herda, her theatre teacher, who brought the subject to life. She excelled academically and was recognized by the National Honor Society. She was also very active in the Yearbook Committee and Debate Team.

Because she was a quick thinker and skillful at picking up on new things, Patricia performed well in college. She was always on a quest for knowledge and she relished the experience. Theories intrigued her, and she tended to conceptualize ideas always searching for the big picture. She always wanted to understand rather than memorize facts. She earned her Bachelors in English and also pursued graduate school, earning her Masters in English and a Lifetime Teaching Credential from Cal State Fullerton which she was especially proud of. Her favorite courses were English Literature, British Literature, Speech, and Drama.

Patricia was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. Always interested in her friends' activities and interests, Patricia was uncritical of her acquaintances. She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Patricia to be very stimulating company. Patricia's humor and inquisitiveness were contagious for those around her. While growing up, some of her best friends were Jerolynn Meyers, Terry Farrell, and Kathy Brown. Later in life, she became friends with Robin and Jennifer Bunker, Kim Essen, Laura Stewart, Wendy Crockett, Linda Whitehead, Laura Kiser, Lisa McDowell, and Janice Graves.

On March 21, 1981 Patricia exchanged wedding vows with Samuel Earl Frustaci at the LDS Temple in Los Angeles, CA. Patricia was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Patricia was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to her spouse's needs. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Sam. In fact, those who knew her often remarked that Patricia loved to argue for argument's sake. She was very perceptive in recognizing others' feelings, especially regarding Sam's.

Patricia's remarkable ability for turning the mundane activities of life into something fun and exciting influenced her relationship with her children. She would create original, clever and fun games for her kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores and running errands, enjoyable to them. Patricia was blessed with ten children; Joseph, Patricia, James, Stephen, Bonnie, Richard, David, Christina, Jordan, and Jaclyn. They were also blessed with 5 grandchildren and 1 on the way (due in July), Paulo, Nicolette, Carlo, Daxton, and McKenzie. Someone who was quick to laugh, Patricia found it easy to spend lots of time with her children.

As a born maverick, Patricia was definitely in her element in her work place. She could naturally create novel ways to excite and stimulate her students. Patricia was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement of those she taught. Her personal initiative inspired those around her. Her primary occupation was Schoolteacher. She was employed for 9 years serving as teacher at Westmont Junior High School (4 years), Oceanview High School (1 year), Riverbank High School (1 year), Rubidoux High School (1 year), UCR Extension Center (2 years). Patricia always made an effort to be a team player and would frequently find herself taking the helm and leading a group doing what was needed in order to get the job done.

Her favorite pursuits were reading, cooking, going out to eat but rarely finishing a meal opting always for a to-go box, keeping up on local and world events, searching for deals, and conversing with friends and family. Recreational sports she enjoyed included bowling, jogging, ice skating, sunbathing, and swimming. Patricia was a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were basketball, baseball, football, and her kid's sports.

Faith and religion were important to Patricia. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. During that time, she served as a full-time missionary in the Frankfurt, Germany mission for a year and a half learning the German language, serving and teaching the people there. It was this faith that girded her up during the trying and heart wrenching times.

With all her talents, her ingenuity, her solutions and inventiveness, it is no surprise that Patricia received public recognition for her competence. With the drive and ability to meet any challenge, Patricia accumulated a long list of achievements throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included Most Popular Teacher of the Year at Ocean View High School and earning her Lifetime Teaching Credential.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Patricia. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Patricia to expand her ever-growing thirst for knowledge. Favorite vacations included going on a train with her sisters, family trips with her dad and siblings going cross-country visiting Colorado, New Mexico, Canada, British Columbia, Alberta, Vancouver, Seattle, as well as many National and LDS Church historical sites back East. She also enjoyed the beach, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, San Francisco, her solo trip to Israel, and her trip with son Joseph and family to the Philippines.

Later in life, Patricia never stopped exercising her talents, and this new phase of her life provided new opportunities for stimulating her interests. She found new pleasure in grandchildren, spending time with her family and especially her mother, as well as helping to homeschool her grandchildren. Patricia continued to stay in touch with her old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances.

Patricia passed away on February 10, 2018 at Grossmont Hospital in San Diego, California. She is survived by her children Joseph, Patricia, Stephen, Richard, Jordan, Jaclyn and her grandchildren Paulo, Nicolette, Carlo, Daxton, and Mckenzie. Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 181 W. Blaine Street, Riverside, CA 92507 on Saturday March 3rd at 10am. Patricia will be laid to rest at Olivewood Cemetery in Riverside, California near her 4 children James, Bonnie, David "Peanut", and Christina as well as her Father Richard Dow Jorgensen.

During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Patricia. She met the words "it can't be done" with the enthusiastic challenge of a "watch this" attitude. Patricia was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not. For Patricia, the traditional way of doing things fell short of her expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Patricia Jorgensen Frustaci, the fun of living her life was found in the challenge.