Patricia White's Obituary
Patricia Lyons White Obituary
Mrs. Patricia Lyons White of Piedmont, California, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 at the age of 68, following eight months with pancreatic cancer.
Born April 25th, 1955, in Dearborn, Michigan, Patty was the youngest of seven children to the late Raymond McKenzie Lyons and Dorothy Jean Walsh. Patty demonstrated her sense of independence and adventure early on when in first grade she was told to sit by herself in the hallway for disruptive behavior, and seeing no point in that, she decided to walk home instead. In high school, she earned top grades, served a year as class president, and graduated a semester early. Early graduation allowed her to spend eight months in the Virgin Islands with her mom, who was there recovering from a health condition. She attended Michigan State University, again earning top grades, completing her graduation requirements early, and serving, and having a lot of fun, on the University Events and Entertainment Committee. She spent part of one summer hitchhiking with a couple of friends through the Northern Rockies and did another
trip travelling on her own on the Alaska Ferry to visit a friend in Fairbanks.
Not long after graduation, at age 21, she decided one day ‘I think I’ll move to California’, just to ‘see what the big deal was.’ She packed her bags the next day with no real plan and a check from her Dad to cover one way airfare back to Michigan for when her ‘California dream inevitably failed.’ Patty settled in sunny Santa Barbara right on the beach. Her dad was surprised when he received his check in the mail a few weeks later. For the next 47 years, California was her home (and proving her dad wrong was just icing on the cake.)
After enjoying her time in Santa Barbara, Patty enrolled at UC Hastings College of Law in San Francisco, working as a bouncer at a local bar to help pay her way. Following graduation, she was hired as an assistant district attorney for the city of San Francisco, where she developed a reputation for her effective courtroom ferocity.
Patty then met the love of her life on a blind date after skeptically agreeing to dinner with Dan White. Skeptical because she was involved in the prosecution of the infamous SF criminal Dan White at the time. Thinking her friends must be having a laugh, she was pleasantly surprised when she arrived for her date to find not only was Dan White real, but he was a perfect match for her. The couple got married in 1982 and were hard to separate for the next 40 years.
Dan and Patty moved to Piedmont, California in 1986 where they raised three kids and many dogs. Despite her talents as an attorney, Patty left her job so she could focus on her true calling, being a mom. In Piedmont, Patty quickly became a pillar of the community, taking on numerous public service roles. She served as the hearing officer for the Piedmont Minor Offender program, as well as numerous school committees. She was appointed to the Piedmont Planning Commission in 1988, serving as chair for six years. Patty was elected to the Piedmont City Council in 1994 and served as Mayor of Piedmont from 1998 to 2000. She also served on the Alameda County Waste Management and Recycling Board for six years as chair.
Her friends and family will always remember her wit, charm, and limitless hospitality. Strong-willed and self-assured, Patty often did things her own way with a focus on making the lives of those she touched better. Her rare blend of intelligence, determination, humor, and generosity will be missed.
Patty passed away at 6am on Wednesday July 19th, 2023, from pancreatic cancer. Dan, Brian, Mike, and Katie took turns staying with her all night, and were able to be with her in the moments before she passed. Our last days together were filled with music, singing, and countless expressions of love. We will miss her and are forever grateful for the time we had with her.
Patty is survived by her husband Dan, children Brian and wife Cristina, Mike and Katie, and grandchildren Anthony and Francis White. She is also survived by her sister Holly Connell and brothers Paul and Kelly Lyons.
A funeral will be held at 11am August 10th at Corpus Christi church in Piedmont, followed by a reception at Lake Chalet.
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