Margaret “Pat” Robles

June 28, 1927 - March 7, 2016

Margaret Pat’s bright smile is still remembered by her family and dear friends. Born in Tuscon, AZ, Margaret Patrica Collins called San Francisco her home. After the death of her mother, Pat and her brother, Andy, were raised by her father and maternal grandmother. She attended the Lone Mountain College for Women, where she made many life-long friends.

As a student, Pat met her husband, William “Bill” Robles at a college mixer. Bill knew immediately that Pat was the woman he would marry and they wed on June 23, 1951. Even though separated by the Korean War, they remained lovingly married for the next 64 years. During their decades together, Pat and Bill’s family grew to 4 children, eventually adding 7 grandchildren and 6 greatgrandchildren.

In her generous and active life, Pat was dedicated to her Catholic faith and to St. Gabriel’s parish. Pat was a long-standing member of the Ladies Sodality Club of St. Gabriel’s and, at one time, it’s president. Her children fondly remember her bake -sale contributions to the parish school they all attended. As a substitute public school teacher, Pat was requested often by teachers because of her sunny disposition and patient manner with children. She was also a Girl Scout leader and a summertime camp counselor known as “Magpie”. Pat truly loved the Bay Area, and orchestrated Sunday family outings to museums, nature trails, parks and beaches.

Pat and Bill danced together for almost two decades with various square-dance clubs. Once, they even square danced at the Pentagon! After retirement, they became part of an informal travel club, visiting many places with their travel friends. Some of their favorite trips were to Alaska, the Grand Canyon and Denmark. Bill was both a golfer and a bridge player; Pat learned to play both so they could enjoy those activities together.

During all her life chapters, Pat continued to make strong friendships and share her loving heart with others. Even during her last years at Alma Via of San Francisco, her smile radiated. Pat is loved and missed by all who knew her.