Christine Ann Patton, born on March 14, 1950, in Fresno and earned her angel wings on September 25, 2025.  She was the beloved wife of Tim Patton for 52 years. 

Chris was one of five siblings.  Daughter of the late Robert and Ora Neal.  Her early years were spent growing up in the Catholic Church and hanging out with her 2 sisters.  She enjoyed spending time at her grandparents’ cabin in North Fork and as a teen, driving her jeep around the property. 

She met the love of her life, Tim Patton, at a concert for his band in Fresno, where they both grew up.  He played guitar and sang.  They fell deeply in love and their story began.  They were married in Fresno and then moved to Humboldt County in 1973.  They started with humble beginnings in Trinidad, living near the beach with their two dogs.   

Chris attended College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University.  She taught preschool, which became her life passion, working mostly for the Head Start program.  She had a gift for teaching young children and was young at heart herself.  She often received letters from children’s parents saying how much the children adored her.  She even started a children’s puppet show business with her friend Doloris, called “The Puppet Ladies.”

Chris and Tim purchased a home near Sequoia Park in Eureka in the late 70’s, where they would walk dogs and raise their children, Nicolette and Casey.  Chris found joy in beautifying her garden and home, as well as taking walks among the redwoods, making jewelry, crafts, dancing, listening to music, baking, decorating for the holidays, camping, reading and going to the river with her best friend Jill.  She also found great joy in traveling to her favorite place, the Cook Islands. 

Chris was a devoted mother and was involved with the kid’s school, Cheerleading, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the “Girls Just Want to Have Fun Club” (a club she invented for her daughter and friends).  She was so excited to have a new son-in-law, David, and her 2 grandchildren, Sebastian and Diego.  Being a grandmother brought her tremendous happiness. Each morning the boys would run into her playroom to see what activities she had prepared for them.  She was an exceptional mother and grandmother. 

She was kind, generous, supportive, caring, loving, wise, and was a bright light, who loved to laugh.  And she had a great laugh!  Chris inspired us to never give up hope and exemplified grace, positivity and gratitude at every turn.   

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.  She is survived by her husband Tim Patton, daughter Nicolette Jarquin, son Casey Patton, son-in-law David Jarquin, grandsons Sebastian and Diego Jarquin, sister Marlaine Pollock, brother’s and sister’s-in-law and her many nieces and nephews, Temple cousins and dear friends, neighbors and dog Sachi.  

We have full hearts from all the love she gave us over the years.  Chris would not want us to be sad, but to love each other today, tomorrow, and always put on a smile, some sparkly earrings and go outside and enjoy the sunshine. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Wharfinger Building’s Bay Room in Eureka.   

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating blood in her honor.