Patricia Probert

Patricia "Pat" Probert, a longtime resident of Watsonville, passed away peacefully at home on July 19, 2023. She was 96.

Pat was born to proud parents Cline and Marie Van Zandt in California on November 8, 1926. Pat was mother to Bill, Gary, and Michelle. She and her husband Bill raised their children with love and devotion in Watsonville. Her family was very important to her as was her love for the Lord. She also had three very important people in her life: Joanne Lathrop, Henry Reynaud, and her very dear friend Maureen Roach.

She was a caring and giving spirit with a big heart, and she was known as a "Fairy Godmother" in the Make-A-Wish Foundation where her magic wand helped fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening disease. She was given an award for granting the most wishes in the history of MAW! She was given an "Angel" award for her charitable work by Magnificat, a Christian woman's fellowship. Pat was most happy when she was helping others in the name of God. She was very humble and avoided the spotlight, but a light radiated from this angel that was hard not to notice.

She was also involved in Welcome Wagon, Jacob's Heart, feeding the homeless, and service in the Holy Eucharistic Church. She ministered to the lonely and forgotten in rest homes and brought communion to those who couldn't attend church.

Pat was always on the "look out" for someone to help! But she also liked to have a good time. She loved to play Bocce Ball, practice Tai Chi, and play a game of cards with neighbors before she rushed out to do her volunteer work. She loved the annual summer trips to Yosemite with her family and friends. She didn't travel much but her two trips to Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to visit the site of the Blessed Virgin Mary were life changing according to Pat and her BFF travel buddy Maureen Roach. Her favorite place to go was wherever her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were residing. Pat was the happiest in the midst of her loving family and doing God's work.

Pat is survived by her children, William (Barbara) Probert, Michelle (Jim) Morris, and Gary (Gayle) Probert, as well as her grandchildren Christina (David), Mark (Danielle), Brian, Scott, Allison, and Logan and great-grandchildren Savannah, Nash, Violet, Koda, and Kia. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, William Earl Probert, and her brother Jack Van Zandt.

"I love you more!" Pat whispered these last words to her family. She will be dearly missed by her loving family, friends, and people whose lives she touched.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 10th at 11am at Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church, 527 Corralitos Road in Watsonville. Interment service will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Jacob's Heart, Salesians Sisters School, and Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church.

Mehl's Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Published in The Pajaronian · July 28, 2023