Patricia Lucille Wheelan

April 10, 1929 - June 22, 2015

Patricia Lucille Wheelan passed away peacefully in her home on the beautiful sunlit morning of June 22. She was lovingly surrounded by the family who adored her and who were able to profess so much love and gratitude to her as she embarked on her Heavenly journey. A woman of tremendous faith and capacity to love, Patricia (Pat) lived a rich and full life. She was born April 10, 1929 in Brainerd, Minnesota to Clayton and Zella Rardin. She was the oldest of three children; Joan and Bernadette (Bernie) being the two sisters she loved all her life. In 1932 Joan was born and the two girls grew up together. Mom had many stories of the two of them walking miles to school and of various other adventure. At times they lived in multi-generational homes with their grandparents—usually without indoor plumbing and other amenities, and the main source of heat being a pot belly stove. They endured many a harsh winter but also, had wonderful times playing and skiing in the snow. Eventually the family moved to Duluth where they lived until traveling out to California by train in 1940. Through the years, Mom shared with us many stories of life in rural Minnesota, and wished many times that she could go back for a visit. As the years went on, that dream faded but her love of her home state was never diminished and something she spoke of very often. The family settled in Vallejo, CA in 1941 where she attended St. Vincent’s School and eventually met her husband-to-be, Robert (Bob) Wheelan. Her sister, Bernie was born in 1946 when Mom was 17 and she loved helping to care for her. She often said that being able to care for her baby sister confirmed that she wanted children of her own to raise and love. In later years she’d kid us children that if she hadn’t fallen in love with babies, she may have become a nun. Mom had various short-lived jobs as a teen and as a young woman before becoming a wife, mother and homemaker. These jobs included tying trout flies in a sports shop, typesetting, working in the office at Carither’s Department Store (Crowley’s in Napa) and eventually at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in the Supply Department. When her and Dad became engaged, they decided it best for her to no longer work outside of the home. In 1950 Pat and Bob were married in a double wedding ceremony with Dad’s brother Jack and Pat’s sister Joan at St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Vallejo. In 1955, Bob and Pat with children Robert Jr., Kathleen, and Anne moved to Napa along with Bob’s brother Jack and Pat’s sister, Joan and their family. The family grew through the years with the addition of Timothy and Susan. Mom enjoyed vacationing with the family—mostly in the regions of Lake Tahoe and Lake County. She enjoyed camping, fishing and had a penchant for the slot machines in Lake Tahoe and Reno—something the family kidded her about often in later years. Her creativity was unmatched—she painted, sewed and crocheted—often winning blue ribbons at the local fair. We will forever hold the vision in our minds of her sitting in her favorite chair, crochet hook in her hand, a ball of yarn in her lap and her beloved Cockapoo, Molly at her side. Mom also enjoyed listening to music, watching movies, playing computer games, baking and entertaining family. The memories of her and Dad with of all of us sharing and laughing and being together in the large family room Dad designed and built, could fill a thousand libraries. What good times we had through the years. Mom having her family around her were her happiest hours. She was truly kind, compassionate and generous and we are all blessed to have had her be a part of our lives—a part of our very selves that will live on for all time. There was never a time when she was not there for us at any hour. There was never a time when we would leave her house that she wouldn’t be standing at the front window waving us good -bye—her hand always formed in the sign for “love”. For many years, Mom was also a devoted volunteer at Birthright of Napa—an organization near and dear to her heart. Many an expectant mother, in addition to Mom’s kindness and support, received a beautiful crocheted baby blanket. We will miss you more than words can say beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. We all echo what we said to you in your final moments on this earth, “We are so happy that you are now at peace and know always that we think you are the best mother ever. You taught us love. We love you with all our hearts and have been so blessed to have you. “ Patricia is survived by her five children: Robert Wheelan, Jr. of Napa, Kathy Gunn of Chico (Ron), Anne Branson of Napa (Rick), Tim Wheelan of Napa (Marcella) and Susan Grant of Napa (Wayne). She is also survived by her sisters, Joan and Bernie. She has nine grandchildren: Danielle Wheelan, Sara Simmons, Jessica Borer, Oliver Gunn, Peter Wheelan, Martha Wheelan, Allen Wheelan, Sarah Amaya – and six great grandchildren; Cody, Jacob, Owen S., Griffin, Emma and Owen W. Her grandson, Vincent Gunn predeceased her. She has many nieces, nephews and friends far too numerous to mention and yet who loved her and will miss her as well. She was predeceased by her devoted husband and the love of her life, Robert Sr. and by her parents, Zella and Clayton Rardin. A Rosary will be held for Pat at Claffey and Rota Funeral Home—1975 Main St., Napa on Thursday, June 25th at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on Friday, June 26th at 11:00 a.m.—2725 Elm St., Napa. Reception to follow. Burial will be private. The family requests donations be made to Birthright of Napa Valley. “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.”