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Patricia Catherine Pat Avila
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Patricia Catherine ‘Pat’ Avila, 85, died Friday, Dec. 10 at Oak Valley Hospital.

She was born in Londonderry, Ireland to John and Mary Rosamond. She lived in Oakdale 45 years.

She was the only daughter and third of four children. The Rosamond family moved to Romford, England where she lived as a child and later met the love of her life, Charles Machado Avila in 1945 on a train to London. Charles said it was love at first sight and they were married five months later in Romford, England while Charles was in the army and stationed at the 121st station hospital just before the war ended in Braintree, England.

Mrs. Avila arrived in the United States in March 1946, aboard the Queen Mary, sailing into New York Harbor, along with many other war brides.

She moved to the San Joaquin Valley and settled on a dairy in Crows Landing where her husband worked. She also lived in Corcoran and Waterford before settling in their home in Oakdale.

She worked at Hunt Wesson Foods for 30 years. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Teamsters union local 748.

She will always be remembered for her English accent and her love of knitting. She knitted blankets and donated them to The Guardian House in Oakdale for people in need. She was always the life of the party and could always make people laugh with her witty personality. She was most happy at home living in her quiet, country setting.

She is survived by her children, Brian (Cora) Avila of Modesto, Mary Jane (Ralph) Loya of Hanford, Dennis Avila of Oakdale, Linda (Jack) Day of Salem, OR; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; and son, Michael Avila.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16, with a rosary at 6:30 p.m., at Oakdale Memorial Chapel. Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 17 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oakdale. Burial will be at Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson.

Oakdale-Riverbank Memorial Chapels in charge of arrangements.