March 14, 1936 – November 7, 2025
Patricia Jean Brown passed away peacefully in Hanford, California, at the age of 89.
Born in Hot Springs, South Dakota, Patricia—affectionately known as Patty— was one of two children of Stanley and Prudence Brady. She was preceded in death by her sister Marilyn Brady-Emick. Patricia was the granddaughter of Clarence and Katherine (Mueller) Brady, and Henry and Elisabeth Cornelius. Patty attended school in Hot Springs, where she was active in the band and other extracurriculars. She held dear memories of her childhood, especially time spent near Fall River with her grandmother Katherine. The river and the library became cherished places that nurtured her lifelong love of art, literature, and nature.
Patricia’s life was marked by adventure, travel, and service. With her first husband, Paul Larive, she moved their young children—and the family’s German Shepherd—to Libya in 1966. She embraced the culture and the experience wholeheartedly. The family later settled in Lana’i, Hawaii, before making their home in Hanford, California. There, Patricia married Brennan Brown, and together they opened a beloved coffee shop that became a community staple. They welcomed their son Sean and adopted daughter Shenan into their growing family.
While raising children and working full-time, Patricia also earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She was a gifted watercolorist and stained-glass artist and was deeply involved in Hanford’s art scene. Her passion for teaching led her to share her talents in unexpected places—including maximumsecurity prisons and juvenile detention centers—where she taught art and creative writing.
Her commitment to service extended to Koinonia Church, through which she joined mission trips to Jamaica, Brazil, and Ethiopia, teaching art to children whose families were receiving medical care. Patricia’s generosity touched many lives. She volunteered at the local soup kitchen, fostered children, and cultivated gardens that overflowed with flowers, fruits, and vegetables—each space adorned with her artwork. Her creativity and compassion were woven into everything she did. Though she faced many challenges, including the loss of her husband Brennan, Patricia remained steadfast in her faith and love for her family and community. She will always be remembered as an amazing and radiant source of kindness, joy, love, and grace.
Patricia is survived by her seven children: Ted Larive (Margie) of San Diego, Calif., Jeffrey LaRive (Karla) of Hot Springs, Tim Larive (Katie) of Phoenix, Ore., Chris LaRive of Park City, Utah, Kathy Smith (Yvan) of Vacaville, Calif., Sean Brown (Chanda) of Atascadero, Calif. and Shenan Wesley of Hanford, Calif.
She also leaves behind ten grandchildren: Lucas Smith, Dylan Smith, Adelaide Smith-Mills, Lindley Brown, Conall Brown, Evangeline Brown, Samuel LaRive, Ian Larive, Sophia Larive, and Noah Larive; and four great-grandchildren: Giada Smith, Keira Smith, Landon Smith, and Jack Mills. She is also survived by three sisters, Barbara Isaacson of Tucson Ariz., Jenni Pickel of Sheboygan Wis., and Sue Yamamoto of Honolulu Hawaii and brother, John Brady of Omaha Neb.
Patricia’s faith was her guiding light. She will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers or cards, please make a contribution in her name to an organization helping those in need. A celebration of Patricia’s life is scheduled for March 14, 2026 at the Koinonia Church in Hanford, California