Watsonville

With a heavy heart we announce the passing of Patricia K. (Patsy) Smith on October 5th at her childhood home in Watsonville, California. She is survived by her two younger sisters, Sr. Marilyn Smith SND and Margaret Kristich, brother-in-law Kristo Kristich, and her much loved niece and nephew Kristen and Mato Kristich. She also leaves behind her dear cousins, Thomas Feeley and Kathleen Feeley Cahill and her beloved Dowdall cousins and cousins in Ireland and England.

Patricia (Patsy) Smith was born on May 31, 1939 to Patrick W. and Elizabeth Dowdall Smith. She was the oldest of three daughters and was a vibrant addition to an Irish American household full of tradition and close connections to Ireland. Her grandparents came from Counties Derry, Down, Donegal and Mayo. Her father Patrick was born in Anaconda, Montana. Her mother Elizabeth was born in North Attleboro, Mass and raised in Anaconda, Montana Patricia was very social from a very young age. Her sister Marilyn recalls that as children whenever they visited somebody with their parents, Patricia was the one that never wanted to go home and would say “one more time around the block Daddy”. Just as she started her young life on an adventure with her sister Marilyn, she brought her life to a close with her little sister Margaret on one final adventure to southern California to visit their cousin Tom. Patricia always loved to tell people that she was very social and had to be around people and so her last hoorah was doing what she loved with family.

Patricia attended Moreland Notre Dame Academy Grammar School and graduated from Moreland Notre Dame High School in 1957 which was across the street from the family home. She continued her education at O’Connor’s Nursing School in San Jose; it was attached to O’Connor’s Hospital. The nursing school was run by the St. Vincent de Paul nuns. She was in the first female class at Santa Clara University. They took the nursing students as day students at Santa Clara U. She graduated in 1960 from Santa Clara University and O’Connor’s Nursing School. She continued her education at the University of Oregon and obtained a Bachelor’s of Science. She worked as a registered nurse in Portland, Oregon. Because of her organizational skills and vibrant personality she was asked to move into the administrative area of nursing. For many years she ran several large departments in various hospitals in Portland, Oregon. When her father Patrick fell ill, she returned to Watsonville to care for him.

When she returned to Watsonville she was no longer working as a nurse due to a back injury, she quickly gravitated to other healing modalities such as Chi Gong and Tai Chi. She had such wonderful results that she began sharing what she learned and taught others. Keith Morrison of NBC’s Dateline was visiting Santa Cruz County and heard about Patsy. Patsy’s recovery due to Chi Gong was featured on NBC’s Dateline.

Along her healing journey she met Dr. Zhi Gong Sha and became one of his leading teachers. She was his first Events Manager which was a significant position. She worked in India for several years. She was always looking for ways to help others and would often overlook her own needs because she wanted to be there for anyone that needed it.

She will be remembered for her huge heart and welcoming smile for all.

Ave Maria Chapel at 609 Main St, Watsonville is managing the arrangements. A rosary will be recited on Tuesday, October 15th at 7:00 pm at Ave Maria Chapel. Visitation hours are 5-7pm. A Requiem Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 on Wednesday, October 16th at Holy Eucharist Church in Correlates.