Patricia Hirzel

Patricia Hirzel, 78, of Anacortes, Washington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after courageously living with Parkinson’s disease for three years. Born in 1948 to Minnie “Elean” Heldt and David Heldt, Pat found her greatest joy in family. With a nurturing heart, quiet strength, and many talents, she created a warm, inviting home where everyone felt cared for and welcome, bringing laughter and a steady presence to the lives of those she loved.

Pat was born in Loma Linda, California, and moved to Northern California with her family as a young child. She grew up in the rural, unincorporated community of Fieldbrook, where she attended a small elementary school with just two classrooms, one for grades 1–4 and another for grades 5–8. It was during those early years in Fieldbrook that she discovered a lifelong love of playing the piano.

She went on to attend Arcata High School in Arcata, California, graduating in 1965. Her appreciation for music and her vibrant spirit continued to shine throughout high school, where she was elected Head Song Queen her senior year and was a member of the Rally Club and Girls Athletic Association. After graduation, Pat attended Humboldt State College in Arcata. It was there that she met the love of her life, Sandy Hirzel, beginning a journey that would span nearly 59 devoted years of marriage.

The early years of life together took them to Sasebo, Japan, where they lived while Sandy was stationed with the U.S. Navy. After Japan, they moved to Chico, California, where Pat worked for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, demonstrating and selling sewing machines while supporting Sandy through college. Her hard work helped Sandy earn his degree from Chico State College, an accomplishment that opened the door to the life that lay ahead.

They eventually settled in Stockton, California, where they discovered a shared passion for real estate. Over the years, they designed and built two homes in Morada, creating the foundation for the family they would raise. Pat took great joy in the process of building and remodeling their homes, from thoughtfully planning each detail to seeing her vision come to life in the finished space. She had a natural eye for design and a wonderful sense of style, and the homes they created reflected her impeccable taste and attention to detail. Working as true partners, Pat and Sandy seamlessly combined their strengths, supporting one another through each new chapter and creating a meaningful life together.

Pat’s openness to adventure made her and Sandy a natural team, and they spent years racing Hobie Cat sailboats with friends almost every weekend. Their teamwork, combined with Sandy’s keen eye for sailing technique, consistently placed them among the top finishers in races. More than just a hobby, sailing expanded their social circle and brought even more lifelong friendships into their world. Their love of the water eventually led them to rent a sailboat in the San Juan Islands with Pat’s childhood best friend, Karen (Crockett) Krei, and her husband, Mike. It was during that trip that they first discovered Anacortes and fell in love with the community they would one day call home after retirement. Pat also held fond memories of vacations in Maui, Hawaii, and Monterey, California, camping at Whiskeytown on “Sandy’s Beach”, and snow skiing at Kirkwood and Sierra-at-Tahoe.

Known by all as an incredible cook and a gracious hostess, Pat took immense pride in opening her home and taking care of others. She absolutely loved decorating and celebrating the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and her daughters and their cousins still hold fond, funny memories of being relegated to the holiday "kids' table", always eagerly waiting for the day they would finally earn their seat at the adult table. She filled her home with warmth, unforgettable meals, and extraordinary attention to detail in her beautiful table settings and festive decorations.

More than anything, Pat wanted to be a mother and grandmother. Her family was the center of her world, and she was the heart of theirs. As a mother, she was a steady source of love, guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support for her two daughters, Megan and Hilary. She was immensely proud of her children and treasured every moment they spent together.

Her joy multiplied when she became a grandmother, known affectionately to her granddaughters as “Patty” or “Grandma Patty”. She absolutely adored her three young granddaughters, Darby, Fiona, and Rylie, who brought immense light and happiness into her life. They each held a special place in her heart, and the love she gave them will remain a lasting part of their lives.

She is survived by her husband, Sandy; her daughters, Megan and Hilary; her son-in-law, Kyle; her beloved granddaughters, Darby, Fiona, and Rylie; her brother, Dan; and a community of extended family and dear friends who miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother, David.

Pat will be remembered for the generous spirit she shared with everyone around her, especially her family and friends. She created a home filled with warmth, laughter, good food, music, celebrations, and a place at the table for everyone. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her, but her spirit will live on in the family she loved so completely, the friendships that enriched her life, and the many memories she created along the way.

Memorial Service

A celebration of Pat’s life will be held in Anacortes, WA, at a future date and time.