AnonymousAugust 5, 1927 – February 11, 2021
Patricia Jean Van Every (Leahy) of Montecito, California passed away peacefully in Santa Barbara on February 11, 2021. Born in Los Angeles to Thomas and Helen Leahy, Pat graduated from Los Angeles High School, and attended USC. At 19, she married David Van Every and would stay happily married for 56 years, until David’s death.
With her red hair and petite figure, Pat acted in the early days of live television with small parts on shows, such as Jack Benny and Red Skelton. Pat and David moved their family move to Washington D.C., so that he could attend medical school at George Washington University, while she supported the family as a dental hygienist.
Later, when her children were grown, she went back to work as the Director of Volunteer Services at Casa Colina Rehabilitation Hospital. For 35 years, David and Pat lived in Cucamonga and later, Claremont, where they established his medical practice and raised their family. She was renowned as a hostess bringing style and fun to the social scene. Her annual Christmas Eve parties were not to be missed.
Retiring in 1995, David and Pat moved to Summerland, where they enjoyed friends, travel and grandchildren. After David’s death in 2003, Pat split her time between Casa Dorinda in Santa Barbara, and her beach house in Malibu. Always adventurous, she traveled extensively until she was 90, including two trips around the world with Semester at Sea. She especially loved India, visiting five times in her eighties.
Always looking forward, she lived her life to the fullest and became an inspiration to so many. She cared genuinely about the lives of her family, friends, and even casual acquaintances with an amazing enthusiasm, making everyone feel special. Pat was a tireless volunteer and supporter of many charities including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, her children’s schools, and The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara. At the Club, she created a special program to tutor kids in mathematics, and supported the creation of the Teen Center.
Pat is preceded in death by her husband David, her brother Donald, and her daughter Karen. She is survived by her children Scott Van Every and wife Bea, Sheila Prendiville and husband Tom, Grant Van Every, and her grandchildren Elizabeth, Madison, and Claire. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Casa Scholarship Fund of The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara or The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara.
