Patricia "Pat" Williams

Patricia "Pat" Williams passed away peacefully in her sleep at 87 years old with the support of her friends, family, and loving husband, Charles Williams, on September 23rd, 2025. She was born on September 19th, 1938, to Henry and Lilia Ortiz and was raised in Tucson. She was preceded in death by her twin brothers, Edward Ortiz and Henry Ortiz, and survived by her sisters, Susan Leon and Mary Ann Bryant.

Pat was a loving mother to three daughters: Lisa Hacker (Tom), Ann Mervin (Jeff), and Christina Lancaster (Jay), and Nana to six grandchildren: Kathryn Hacker, Laura Emmerling (Anthony), Lori Houston-Floyd (Andrew), Jaime Mervin (fiancé Jonty), Van Lancaster, and Sarah Lancaster, and great grandmother to James Houston-Floyd.

Patricia was married to her loving and wonderful husband, Charles R. Williams, for forty years. Together, they built their home both physically and spiritually, full of warmth, laughter, and giant ollas of pozole and caldo. She threw beautiful Christmas tamale parties, a tradition she passed down to her grandchildren and nieces after extensive and exacting training. Kate, in particular, learned alongside her nana to hold the position of "head tamalera."

After raising her young children, her dear friend and neighbor, Patricia Hacker, encouraged Pat to pursue fulltime work for the City of Tucson, where she worked for twenty years in various positions, each with their unique challenges. Her dedication to education and self-sufficiency remained a pillar that she would pass on to her daughters and grandchildren.

Pat was a strong woman, loving mother, sister, and nana who faced every challenge first with doubt and then with courage and dignity. A devoted and lifelong Catholic, she loved genuinely and instilled in her daughters the importance of family and hard work, and, most importantly, taught us to strive for what is "right."

Her life was filled with joy, friendships, and family. She saw the world and traveled throughout her life, seeking new adventures and always a dessert. She loved her "doxies" and cats and babysitting her "grand-dogs and cats." She enjoyed feeding and watching birds, especially her hummingbirds that would visit daily, landing neatly on the clothesline, affectionately named "Mr. Green" and "Beaky." She pretended to play a fierce card game, flew kites, saw comets, and explored caves and zoos with her kids and grandkids. Her friends and family will forever treasure her memories and will always remember on which side of the oja to spread the masa.

With love and gratitude.

Service to be held on Thursday, November 6th, at St. Thomas the Apostle

5150 North Valley View RD, Tucson, AZ

Followed by Interment at Holy Hope Catholic Cemetery

3555 North Oracle RD, Tucson, AZ