Patricia Marie Daniels
Patricia Marie Daniels, “Pat” to her friends and “Mom” and “Nana” to her family, lived a blessed and beautiful life for 94 years before passing peacefully on June 29, 2025 in Solvang, CA.
Pat was born April 29, 1931 in Los Angeles to Gertrude and Clarence Faylor. She attended Los Angeles Catholic Girls High School and graduated in 1949. At age 16, she met Tom (Merton Thomas) Daniels, a Hollywood High student and the love of her life, at a school dance. At 19, Pat and Tom married and had their first daughter, Janice, by their first wedding anniversary.
Six other children followed over the next 15 years: Christine, Michael, Karen, Kelly, James and Thomas. Pat loved babies! In 1956, Pat and Tom built a home on Pt. Dume in Malibu, where their kids grew up enjoying the beauty and adventure of the beach and outdoors, surfing, riding horses, and making lifelong friends.
When Pt. Dume Elementary School opened in 1967, Pat volunteered for the PTA and helped put on numerous events, including the school’s amazing Arts & Crafts fair show and movie nights. Her chocolate cake packed lovingly in her kids’ lunches became legendary on the playground—so delicious they could trade slices of it for almost anything! Throughout her life, Mom recalled happy memories of her family’s time in Malibu and talked fondly about what a wonderful community it was for her kids to grow up in.
In the early 70’s, Pat went to work at the Riviera County Club, then earned her real estate license and joined Pritchett Realty, where she made great friends. In 2004, following Tom’s passing in 1997, Pat moved to the Santa Ynez Valley, an area they had enjoyed together when visiting their daughter Christine and her family. Pat immediately became an active and adored member of the Mission Santa Inés, attending morning mass and afternoon rosaries, volunteering for church ministries, working in the office, bringing communion to home-bound congregants, and becoming famous for her energy, beautiful and generous spirit and baked goodies.
Nana had a beer every day with the afternoon mail, which we believe was one of the secrets to her long and happy life. Although challenged with arthritis, she spent hours gardening and creating beautiful floral arrangements, festively decorating her home for every holiday (Christmas was her favorite), remembering every birthday and anniversary with cards and calls, giving modest but gorgeously wrapped gifts topped with elaborate handmade bows, chopping meat for the famous chili she brought every year to the Capuchin Franciscans’ annual boating adventure at Lake Cachuma, and preparing food for family gatherings.
We celebrated her 80th birthday with an Alaskan cruise, where she was proud to have ridden what was then the world’s longest zip line in Hoonah. When she talked about “Tommy,” our Dad and Grampa who was waiting for her in heaven, she’d smile, point to the line up of family photos on her mantle, look up and say, “I love you darling but I’m not ready to go yet. I’m having too much fun here!” When asked about her secrets to a long and happy life, she advised, “When you receive love, give love back. Get out there and enjoy yourself and make friends. Do things for other people. And it may not work for you, but it works for me…have a beer a day.”
At the time of her passing, Pat had 7 grown children, 7 “outlaws,” 18 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren (with a 20th great on the way!) and a huge extended family. Pat/Mom/Nana: thank you for all the life lessons, delightful humor, and examples of service, faith, friendship, love, and zest for living that you gave us. Nanas are angels in disguise, and you will always be our angel.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11 am at Mission Santa Inés.
