Patricia Delaney Christensen

March 9, 1930 – July 13, 2016

Mother, grandmother, writer, community advocate and world traveler, Pat Christensen (86), passed away peacefully at UCSF with her children at her bedside. Born in Los Angeles to Frederick George and Daisy Delaney, she began her studies at UCLA at 16 years old. She fell in love with San Francisco while attending a Bruins/Bears football game and she never left.

Pat met and married her husband Eldon “Chris” Christensen in 1955. They left The City briefly for Sausalito – but, of course, with a panoramic view of San Francisco. Moving back to San Francisco, Pat and Chris started their family on Divisadero Street, later moving with their three children to the Inner Sunset.

Pat’s interest in politics was sparked by public school issues in the turbulent 1960s when she worked diligently as a PTA member. She and her husband Chris, went on to pioneer the Duboce Neighborhood Association bringing the community to address serious neighborhood issues.

By 1972, she accepted the role of Community Relations Director with Catholic Social Services. In the late 70s, Pat hosted a Sunday morning talk show on KCBS Radio for the Archdiocese focused on working women’s issues and local politics. A passionate writer, Pat founded and ran “The Grapevine,” the Visitation Valley newspaper for five years, was a regular columnist for the SF Independent and penned her memoir, “An Old Broad Abroad,” after traveling the world. Her final unfinished project was on aging. Pat worked at the SF Chamber of Commerce, hosted a television series focused on small business, ran her own public relations firm, and worked tirelessly to protect small businesses and preserve the unique neighborhoods of San Francisco.

Throughout her career, Pat received many awards and accolades from State Senators, Governors, the business community and city leaders including a proclamation from Mayor Willie Brown and the “Pat Christensen Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Small Business Network of San Francisco. Her greatest loves were her family, friends and enjoying countless hours in the California outdoors. She delighted in hiking Mt. Tam, exploring Yosemite, and she cherished times at Stinson beach (often with the Chapman family).

Pat blossomed into a world traveler following the death of Chris in 1996. Starting in China, she traveled the globe always looking for the next adventure.

Pat is survived by children Matt (Laura), Del (Lisa), Kelly (Mark), and grandchildren Jack, Danny, Ryan, Riley, Monica (Ben) and Ali (Michael).

Pat’s family would like thank the doctors and nurses at UCSF Medical Center for their extraordinary care and compassion.

Services are pending as her family organizes a celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name would be welcomed at St. Anthony’s Foundation.