Nov. 10, 1948 – Oct. 11, 2024

Patricia “Patty” Marie Smith (née Olsen), 75, joined all the saints in heaven on Oct. 11. She peacefully passed away in the arms of her beloved husband after a day surrounded by family and friends. 

Patty was born on Nov. 10, 1948 in Los Angeles, the third child and first daughter of the late Kenneth “Ken” Olsen and Dorothy “Dickie” Olsen. After graduating from high school in 1966 from Immaculate Heart in Los Angeles, she went on to study at USC in the footsteps of many of her relatives. It was while at school Patty fell in love and married Bob Miller in 1969. God blessed her quickly with a pregnancy but tragically Bob was taken from her only months later. 

The Holy Spirit prevailed and introduced Patty to Michael “Mike” Smith through their parents who were friends. In pure Hollywood fashion, their “meet-cute” was a Valentine’s Day dinner date. Thus began a long and beautiful love story spanning more than 53 years that saw their family grow to include six children and 18 grandchildren.  

Patty was not content to simply be the erstwhile homemaker and invented the term “domestic engineer.” In between raising the six children she birthed in nine years (and who gave her a good run for her money), she epitomized the Jesuit credo of being a woman for others through her humble and dedicated work at the Good Shepherd Shelter, ministering to female inmates in county jail, assisting the Homeboy and Homegirl Industries, taking her dog Quincy to visit the children at CHLA and serving on several school boards including Verbum Dei. She was also heavily involved in her La Cañada and St. Bede’s parish communities. All who knew Patty knew her to be someone who had a compassionate heart and an action mindset. She would do anything for anyone in need – and get it done yesterday. 

Patty was indeed a force to be reckoned with and, as one of her sons-in-law coined, was always “direct with God’s love.” This served as a great example to her family, especially her daughters and granddaughters, that there is nothing wrong and everything right with being a strong woman. 

Patty also had a soft side and was known for her fun spirit, love of travel, great parties, big smile and vivacious laugh. She leaves a cadre of family and close friends that could fill hours (if not days) with fun stories about her, her escapades and her carpe diem spirit.  

Patty’s mind was as big as her heart and she was extremely well read. While her early marriage interrupted her undergraduate studies at USC, later in life she returned to school and graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 1999 with a degree in theological studies. She could hold court with the best and brightest whether they be professors at LMU, priests, bishops, cardinals, authors of renowned books or any subject matter expert really. 

Patty’s parents, Ken and Dickie, and elder brother Michael greeted her in heaven. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 53 years Michael, and their children: Peter (Christine), Kathleen (Henry), Meghan (Kyle), Tommy (Shannon), Will (Krista) and Carolyn (Kevin). Additionally, she leaves behind a legacy of 18 grandchildren: PJ, McKenna, Charlie, Abby, Luke, Mia, Cade, Micah, Clare, Grace, Reilly, Maggie, Cassidy, Clayton, Tyson, Conor, Madeline and Ryan. She is also survived by her beloved siblings Chris, Paul, Ken, Steve and Jodi. And, last but not least, she will be greatly missed by her ever faithful and loving dog Quincy. 

Funeral services were held at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church on Oct. 19 and she is interned at the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of Angels. 

In lieu of flowers, Patty’s family kindly asks for consideration in making a donation to one of her beloved charities: Dolores Mission School, St. Francis High School or St. Bede Anew Campaign.

“Be not afraid

I go before you always

Come follow me

And I will give you rest.”

~ Partial lyric to a song by the St. Louis Jesuits