Patricia Ann DeWitts

Long-time Santa Barbara resident Patricia Ann DeWitts passed away December 28, 2016 at Sanctuary at Fraser rest home in Michigan. Patricia was born November 21, 1939, to Henry and Ellen Hennessy of Birmingham, MI. She grew up in Michigan and spent several years in Japan as a child in the aftermath of WWII. As the oldest of seven children, Patricia was accustomed to responsibility. She was the first and only person in her family to attend college, putting herself through the Jesuit University of Detroit where she excelled and earned the Howard Walsh Memorial Award. She had a vast knowledge of literature and a gift for creative writing. After graduation she moved to Gstaad, Switzerland to teach English and History at L’Institut Montesano. In Gstaad she met her husband, Jim Briscoe of Santa Barbara, and moved to Santa Barbara in 1965. She remarried in 1973, to tennis professional Jerry DeWitts. Patricia raised her children locally and eventually resumed teaching. When she was diagnosed with Parkinsonism in 2003, she retired and returned to Michigan. She was a brave and unapologetic spirit who chose a colorful life and never lost her sharp wit. She is survived by her daughter Julia Briscoe, son John DeWitts (Tia), and granddaughter Brooke Burney.