Patricia Kolts Ganje

Patrica Kolts Ganje, a beloved mother, sister, and friend, passed away Wednesday, September 25, after living a beautiful life of service, adventure, joy, and faith.

Pat was born on May 2, 1932, in Los Angeles. She was a fourth-generation Californian and the third generation to be baptized at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church in Echo Park, whose current home is at Saint Paul's Commons and where Pat's remains are to be interred.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Daniel Ganje; her parents, Shirley Elizabeth Kolts neé Chase and Donald Kolts; and her brother, Raymond Kolts.

Pat is survived by her only daughter, Michelle Ganje Heinrich, and her partners, Andrew Heinrich and Cody Hooks; sister Nancy Rogers; nieces and nephews Tricia Rogers, Todd Rogers, Debbie Kolts, and Ken Kolts; extended family; and a lifetime of friends, colleagues, and fellow travelers.

Growing up, Pat loved going to Angels games with her dad and playing baseball togethers, which she was doing even as her prom date arrived. Pat graduated from John Marshall High School in 1950. Knowing she wanted to be a teacher, Pat forwent the family tradition of attending USC - while retaining her allegiance to their football team! - and instead would graduate from Los Angeles City College. Her dedication to the vocation of teaching was profound and expansive. She taught elementary school first for the U.S. military - living in England, Germany, Spain (where she met Michael) and the Philippines - and then, for several decades, in the Glendale Public Schools. Among her classrooms locally were those at Franklin and Dunsmore. Pat was active in the California Retired Teachers Association and would substitute even into her retirement.

Pat embraced her independence but was simpatico with many who crossed her path. This is clear from her involvement with P.E.O. and Masonic organizations, including Job's Daughters (Past Honored Queen, Bethel Guardian, and Grand Guardian) and the Order of the Eastern Star (Worthy Matron). Once she moved to Villa Gardens in Pasadena, Pat was busily involved in that community: as president of the residents' association, as a mentor to newcomers, and as a founder of Camp Villa, a program that brought seniors and kids together.

Always a champion of education, Pat tutored elementary students and installed a Little Free Library by the sidewalk outside her window. Pat recently said, "You don't have to teach kids to read, you just have to listen to them and help build their confidence."

Pat was never one to shy away from a new adventure. Over her 92 years, she traveled to every continent and 113 countries. She once spent two months on a cargo ship going around South America; rode on an elephant sideways while her feet dangled over a precipitous cliff; and walked and worshiped with people across the most stunning landscapes and the mightiest rivers in the world.

Pat was an active person all her life. She was a swimmer, appearing in Esther Williams movies as a young woman and swimming every morning until her last months. While watching the 2024 Olympics with her family, Pat shared that she had also done archery and played volleyball and tennis.

Over the years, she lent her alto voice to several choirs, including those at her various churches, the William Hall Chorale (which allowed her to tour China), and Joyful Voices at Villa Gardens.

Animals held a special place in her heart, especially elephants and giraffes. As a child, she colored a purple giraffe, much to her straight-laced grandfather's dismay, and then, later in life while on a trip to Africa, finally saw a live purple giraffe standing in the shadows of the evening light. And Pat loved cats; of people who don't, she just said, "We can't all be lucky." Pat donated to large cat rescues and was a domestic companion to several felines, including Cito, Petra, Pasha, Pi/Pyd, Piper, and, most recently, Archie, her first and only male cat.

Pat was deeply spiritual, finding the divine in the small moments of life, and deeply religious, seeking God through the Episcopal Church, including St. Luke's of the Mountains (La Crescenta) and St. Mark's (Altadena). It was only after attending a service at St. A.'s as a young person that she discovered the church was the place of her and her family's baptisms. This led to her family's re-engagement with the church. She would go on to serve as a eucharistic minister in various settings.

Pat will be remembered for her bravery, strength, independence, smile, wit, and absolute loving presence.

A service will be held at her congregation, St. Mark's Episcopal in Altadena, on October 12 at 11 a.m. All are invited to wear purple. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the church.