Lasting Memories

Patricia Amelia Douglas
July 10, 1937-Aug. 17, 2023
Palo Alto, California

Patricia Amelia Douglas, 86, passed away peacefully at her home in Palo Alto, California, on Aug. 17, 2023, with her family by her side.

Pat was born in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu, to Raymond Toro and Beatrice Sanchez Toro. Both parents came from large families, with 14 members and 12 members respectively. She was in Honolulu Dec. 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor and stayed in a bomb shelter for several days. She and her family moved to Palo Alto when she was 9, in 1946.

Pat graduated from Palo Alto Senior High School in 1956 and remained friends with many of her classmates.

She went to work for Hewlett-Packard Company 1956, when HP only had about 300 employees, and stayed for more than 10 years. She was part owner of Golden Age Construction for 31 years where she did the accounting and earned her contractors license. She also did interior decorating.

Pat worked at Studio D as a designer and instructor teaching her flair for all kinds of decorations and flower arrangements. Customers called her "Mrs. Christmas.” Pat loved the four seasons of the year, always changing her front door wreaths at the beginning of each season and decorating inside to match.

Pat was a great volunteer for the Filoli Historic House and Gardens, making Christmas wreaths, garlands and ornaments. She also volunteered with husband Rich for the Gamble Gardens Spring Tour and supported the annual Museum of American Heritage (MOAH) Vintage Vehicles and Family Festival each May, serving at the hospitality table. Whenever she met anyone, Pat always had a friendly smile.

Pat enjoyed making and keeping many close friends. She was part of a circle of eight women “Among Friends” who met together for more than 40 years celebrating birthdays, holidays and many special occasions.

Pat was loved by all who knew her. She had a way of making everyone feel special and important. Her faith in God and hope for people made her the beautiful soul we all cherished. She was loved dearly and will be missed immensely.

She is survived by her husband, Richard F. Douglas of Palo Alto, and daughter, Kathy Jepsen and two grandchildren, Travis Jepsen and Patricia Jepsen; and her extended stepfamily: Marlene DeMarchi, Kathleen Douglas and Louann Gipner and three grandchildren, Marissa DeMarchi, Donato DeMarchi and Sofia DeMarchi. Her brothers Richard McGillivray and William James McGillivray; plus many nephews, nieces and cousins in Hawaii and the mainland. Her brother Ronald Toro preceded her in death.

Her family has honored her life privately. Contributions in Pat’s name can be made to the American Cancer Society.