Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Patricia Claire Petro was born June 24, 1923 in Dunlap, Iowa and died peacefully on Feb. 26, 2020 at Saint Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif. As soon as she graduated from high school, Pat followed her older sister Helen to California where she met her true love Edward Anthony Petro. Eddie was a Marine on leave from the Pacific Theater in World War II. They fell in love and they were married on September 23, 1947. Eddie preceded her in death on July 12, 1968. Pat never remarried, even though there were many opportunities to do so, for two reasons, she told her children many times that she knew that no other man could ever replace their father and she didn’t want to bring a strange man into her home with her three boys. In so many ways life could have been easier for her, but she always put the wellbeing of her children above all else.

She is survived by her eldest son Tim; middle son Paul and his wife Lisa; and her youngest son Mark and his wife Renee. Pat has four grandchildren whom she adored. She felt blessed for the opportunity to play an integral part in the lives of Anthony and Kaitlyn, son and daughter of Paul and Lisa Petro; Kelly and Reese, son and daughter of Mark and Renee Petro. She is also survived by two wonderful great-grandchildren who put a huge smile on her face, Kennedi Petro, daughter of Anthony and his wife Kaylee Petro; and Karter Stokes, son of Kaitlyn and her husband Mykal Stokes.

Pat is basking in the grace of God in joyous reunion with her husband Eddie Petro and her parents Thomas and Nellie Shields, as well as all the dear family and friends who have been waiting for her.

Her interests were God, family and friends. She celebrated mass and recited the rosary every day, read the daily Los Angeles Times, and enthusiastically followed the LA Lakers.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 10:30 a.m., at St. Kilian Catholic Church in Mission Viejo, Calif. Per her request, a rosary will be held prior to the mass at 10 a.m., with an open casket available for viewing. Following the mass, everyone is invited to join the precession to Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest, Calif. for the burial.

A Celebration of Life will be held after the burial at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, Calif. Her family invites you all to come enjoy food, spirits, photographs and many stories about the one and only Pat Petro. Please RSVP for the celebration by Monday, March 2 to Lisapetro@hotmail.com .

Her family is grateful for all your loving prayers and support. Pat was a remarkable person who attracted amazing people into her life; and her family is blessed to have been able to share her with all of you.

Please consider a donation in Pat’s name to Saint Francis Home, Assisted Living for the elderly, under the care of Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Pat lived at Saint Francis for the past two years and the compassionate work they provide is very special.  Contribute to Saint Francis Home, 1718 W 6th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703. For more information visit http://st-francis-home.org .

“For it is in giving that we receive.”  Saint Francis of Assisi