March 9, 1918 – March 4, 2012

Patricia M. Raymer, who preferred to be called “Pat,” “Patty,” or “Patsy,” taught fourth grade and summer school in the Glendale School District for 32 years. Over that time she changed the lives of more than 1,900 students and, in turn, their families and the people they all have served. Everything Patty did was for children, their education and the teachers who provided that education. She served as the president of the Glendale Teachers Association and was also president of the Cal State L.A. chapter of Pi Lambda Theta, a national honor society for educators. In addition, she served on the freshman admissions committee for her alma mater UCLA.

Like so many of our teachers, she was an unsung hero, quietly going about doing good. We can all look back on one or two very special teachers who helped make us who we are today. Patty was that teacher to hundreds of students. She may not have been famous, but she produced students who became contributing members of society in all walks of life. She was a star with those students and her family.

Born in 1918 Albuquerque to Francis “Pat” McGough and Wanda (Cook) McGough, Patty moved with her parents to Pasadena, Calif. in 1927 and enrolled in Pasadena Jr. College, which acted as a high school.

After spending a summer in the Panama Canal Zone, Patty attended UCLA and completed her undergraduate degree in 1942. Following that, she went directly to making electronic aircraft parts for the War effort.

In 1950 she married Robert C. Raymer but, after having two children, they divorced in 1956. Patty earned her elementary teaching credential from Los Angeles State College in 1958 and her first teaching position was in February 1959 at Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School in Glendale. In September 1962 she moved to Monte Vista Elementary School in La Crescenta and earned a Master of Arts degree in elementary education in 1967 from Cal State L.A. She retired in June 1991 and spent her retirement still serving education in any way she could.

Patty succumbed in Glendale to old age and complications of diabetes on March 4, five days shy of her 94th birthday.

She is survived locally by her daughter Pamela Raymer-Lea; son-in-law, Eric Lea; son G. Patrick Raymer; and her daughter-in-law Ramona Raymer, who served Patty faithfully as nurse, friend and angel for more than eight years.     Patty had four grandchildren: Charlie Lea, Michael Lea, John Kyle Raymer, Laura Hoffman and her husband Dan Hoffman; cousins Don Nanney, Barbara Nanney and their daughter Samantha Dalsin.

Private services are being held at a later date.

Please visit http://memorial.yourtribute.com/Patricia-McGough-Raymer/ to make comments or leave messages.