Patricia Clevenger

Patricia Clevenger On Saturday, April 11, 2015, Patricia Catherine Malone Clevenger passed away peacefully at her home in Morro Bay, California, surrounded by her dear husband of 63 years, and her five adoring children. Loving and proud mother of Marty (Beckie), Maura, Phil (Lynn), Tony (Carmen), and Matt (Theresa). Devoted grandmother to 11 grandchildren: Nathan (Sarah), Courtney, Emily (David), Zachary (Alison), Matthew, Peter, Hillary, Laura, Alba, Ian, and Lina. She is also survived by her sister, brother in-law and niece; Colleen, Pete and Marianne Marelia. Born to Clarence and Mary Malone in San Jose, California in 1927, she graduated from the University of California at San Francisco Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program in 1946; then and today, the top School of Pharmacy in the nation. Pat was a pharmacist from 1946 to 1952 and to date, is the youngest-ever pharmacist licensed by the California Board of Pharmacy at the age of 19. She met her future husband Jim Clevenger in Santa Clara, California while he was attending law school. Pat and Jim married in 1952 and moved to Visalia, where Jim practiced law and they raised their family on Todd Drive. Not long after Jim's retirement, Pat and Jim moved to Morro Bay in 1999, which they fondly referred to as "paradise." Books were Pat's constant companions, at home, during her children's grueling daylong sporting events, and later while her and Jim travelled the world. She was a voracious reader, handily reading a half-dozen diverse books a week, while juggling all demands of home and raising five active children. Her favorite reads were mystery and crime novels. They allowed her to live vicariously amongst murderers, spies and detectives from Finland to France, and Britain to Bangladesh. She was a member of the Visalia City Library Board, the Joint Library Board (City of Visalia and Tulare County). She started the first school library at George McCann Catholic Elementary School in Visalia. She was a member of the Board of Santa Clara Business and Professional Women and later the American Association of University Women in Tulare County. Pat had a love and passion for the preservation of historic homes and architectural heritage. She was director and past president of Visalia Heritage, Inc. and extensively involved in a survey of all the historic homes in Visalia. This massive effort culminated in her co-authoring a book on historic preservation titled "Visalia's Heritage." She was also a member of Visalia's Historic Preservation Board. While in Morro Bay she was a member of St. Timothy's Catholic Church, it's Social Needs Committee and its Women's Guild. Pat was an active and engaged volunteer at the Morro Bay Library and a member of the Friends of Morro Bay Library. The happiest years of Pat's life were raising her five children and living in retirement with her husband in Morro Bay. Her family was her world and she eagerly awaited her grandchildren's frequent visits. They saw in her what they sought in themselves. The Clevenger family wishes to express their deepest and heartfelt appreciation for the many expressions of love, kindness and support shown to them and their mother by friends and neighbors during Pat's illness, and to her compassionate healthcare team including Dr. Patrick Vaughn, Dr. Eugene Galperin, Katie Mott, R.N., Jackie Toner, R.N., Nicole Jackson, R.N., and Vickie Faulkner. A Memorial Mass will be offered at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Morro Bay at 12:30pm on Sunday, April 19, 2015. A reception will follow at St. Timothy's Hall. Interment will be private at the Cayucos/Morro Bay Cemetery. It was Pat's wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the Friends of the Morro Bay Library (www.mbfol.org) or by calling 805-772-6394. Sign her guestbook at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries