Patrice Lorraine Summers

Patrice was born in Los Angeles, the oldest of 4 children, attended UCLA and married William Davidson in December 1954. Bill got a job with aerospace, and they moved to Santa Barbara where their first daughter, Erin was born in 1957. Patrice was very active with the Democratic League, graduated from UCSB with a BA in Political Science, after son, Tom was born in 1958 and Robin in 1961.

After her divorce in 1968, she opened her Mission Canyon home to many UCSB students, conscientious objectors to the Vietnam war and radicals of the time, educating herself and her children to the counter culture, marching for peace, civil, gay, farm workers and women’s rights. Her home was filled with the music of the times always on the turntable, communal meals, “smoke” and laughter.

From 1969-74, Patrice was the Community Affairs Board coordinator, matching student volunteers to many non-profit agencies throughout Santa Barbara.

Patrice left Santa Barbara in the late 70’s and returned from the Bay Area in the early 90’s. She worked for UCSB in the Equal Opportunity Programs & Services for the students of Native American heritage to have the support to complete a degree in higher education. She retired from UCSB in 2010.

Her daughter Erin brought her to El Dorado County to live in 2014. Patrice died peacefully with Erin at her side. She lived 90 full years.

Patrice lived quite an adventurous life and inspired many people she encountered. She loved ethnic cuisine, especially sushi and taught herself to be a gourmet cook. She often said she was “crazy” meaning she wasn’t mainstream, and proud of it.

She is survived by her daughters, Erin Davidson and Robin Powers, her grand children, Jasmine and Leilani Shimoda, Danielle and Timothy Davidson and Blaize Powers. Her son, Tom passed in 1998.

Donations in her memory can be submitted online to the Snowline Hospice of El Dorado County: www.snowlinehospice.org