Patricia Ann Rouch

1925 - 2017

Patricia Ann (Tricia) Rouch

May 27, 1925 - Jan. 19, 2017

Visalia

Patricia Ann (Tricia) Rouch died peacefully in her sleep January 19, 2017 at the age of 91. Born to John and Mary Kathleen Hugh in Coeur d'Alene Idaho, May 27, 1925 she grew up in North Bend Oregon and briefly attended Marylhurst University. She grew up the third daughter of a restaurateur living above "The Rally", a local café. She always said "Dad would never let anyone go hungry - even if they couldn't pay."

After a year in college she joined her family in California, living in Hollywood. During a visit to a childhood friend in Kingsburg, California she met the man she would marry. Before their blind date Sonny Rouch told his brother " I'll take her (to the dance) but don't expect me to marry her." Four days later he asked for her hand and she replied, "sure." They were married 64 years.

Tricia was the quiet force that held the family together. Their life together was a modern frontier adventure. They raised five children while building roads, logging, mining, and eventually built their family home high in the Sierra Nevada's. Despite her conversion from a city girl to a frontier woman she continued to smooth Sonny's rough edges and insured that the children followed her lead with manners and proper speech. She was a wife, mother, and beloved member of the community. She embraced the mountain life and caught her limit of rainbow trout on days when other fisherman never got a bite. Tricia and Sonny never lost their thirst for adventure and traveled the world, always returning to their home in the mountains.

Tricia is survived by her sister Mary; brother Monty; children, Tomina, Patti, Skip, Theresa, and Michael; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday June 24, 2017, 11am at Sequoia Crest. In lieu of flowers please send memorial donation to the Tulare County Historical Society, P.O. Box 295, Visalia, CA 93279 or the charity of your choice.