Patricia McCaw

Nov. 13, 1940 - Oct. 2, 2020 Resident of Sunnyvale

When Patricia “Pat” McCaw started teaching at West Valley Elementary School in 1963, she didn’t know it would be her lifelong passion. But that was the start of her huge impact on her community, teaching 5th grade until 2001. After officially retiring, she still tutored students when not traveling with friends, and in 2010, she took over teaching memoir writing to seniors in Cupertino. She continued teaching that class until health issues made her to step down in October 2019.

Pat McCaw passed away at age 79 on October 2, 2020. Born Patricia Cabral in French Camp in 1940, she grew up on her parents’ farm in Manteca. She attended Ripon High School and went to college at San Jose State. Though she and her husband Neal raised their boys Derek and Chris in Sunnyvale, they visited Manteca whenever possible, sparking many memories that she later used as models in her memoir writing class.

Her example and support inspired many students over the years, with many recently expressing how she had given them confidence in their own abilities.

She served various leadership roles with the Grandmothers Club of California, and regularly volunteered at the Cupertino Senior Center, always serving, always being there for friends. It was a credo she set in 1958 with her Ripon High School yearbook motto, “to be a friend is to have friends.”

She is survived by her sons Derek and Chris McCaw, her daughters-in-law Rachel Phillips and Stephanie Rodriguez, and her two grandchildren Adaline and Luke McCaw. A Celebration of Life will be held when large public gatherings are allowed once more.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the local arts organization of your choice.