Patricia "Pat" Cratty Taylor

MADISON, Wis. / CALABASAS, Calif. - Patricia "Pat" Cratty Taylor passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Madison, Wis. She was 85 years old. A native of Los Angeles, Pat was born in 1940 and never lost her love for California, movies and movie stars. She grew up with her two brothers in the San Fernando Valley when it was mostly orange and lemon orchards. She graduated from Van Nuys High School, just like (as she would remind her children) stars Natalie Wood and Robert Redford.  

In 1960, while earning an elementary teaching degree at UCLA, she married Raymond John “Jack” Taylor, a neighborhood boy her brothers had unsuccessfully tried to scare off. Pat took a break from teaching elementary school upon the birth of her daughters, Gail Patricia and Christine “Chris” Lyn. There was nothing more heavenly to her children than arriving home from school to Pat’s freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

As the girls grew up, Pat returned to teaching, first at Soto Street Elementary in East Los Angeles, and then at Cantara Elementary in Reseda, Calif. She excelled in the classroom and impacted countless young lives. Many of her students would write to Pat years later, expressing gratitude for her positive influence on their lives. Her influence transcended the classroom, and she spent many years as an active member of her teachers’ union, UTLA, serving for many years as a union steward.  Pat was also a voracious reader. Her children recall regular excursions with their mother to the local library, and the speed with which she would read books.

Pat was a devoted daughter and sister. She spoke with her mother daily and cared for her throughout her life, and was a doting little sister to her brothers. But Pat’s proudest achievement was her children, in whom she took endless delight and pride. She spent many years coaching and managing her daughters’ softball teams. She taught vacation bible school and shuttled children to Girl Scout camps and sleep overs. She was a gentle and always kind presence in her daughters’ lives and encouraged them to flourish in their own unique ways. As her children launched into the world, she often followed them with visits to the faraway places they landed.

Once their “nest” was empty, Pat and Jack built their dream house in the hills of Calabasas, Calif. They watched dozens of varieties of birds congregate around birdfeeders under the sprawling oak tree in their front yard, felt the ocean breeze through the canyon each evening, and marveled at all forms of wildlife that visited. Pat and Jack also spent their retirement exploring the world. They loved to “cruise” down famous rivers, including the Nile, Danube, and the inlets of Alaska. They met friends from all over the country.

In retirement, Pat continued her life-long involvement in the Methodist church, as a board member and active participant in Church Women United. Her spiritual underpinnings were rooted in performing good works and contributing to her community, values she passed on to her children. She was also an active member of the Valley University Women, where she enjoyed awarding scholarships to young students.  

After Jack’s passing in 2017, Pat ventured from her Calabasas home and from her life-long community of friends, moving to the Capitol Lakes senior living community in Madison, Wis., to be closer to daughter Chris and her family. The Capitol Lakes community welcomed her. She made many friends and was an active participant in the vibrant community there.

In Madison, Pat enjoyed the many activities of her two grandsons, spending more time than perhaps she had planned in hockey arenas and at soccer fields. She was always up for a grandson’s game, even in inclement weather foreign to a native Angelino (anything below 65 degrees). Pat was kind beyond words and the sweetest daughter, sister, mother and grandmother one could hope for.

Pat is survived by her daughters, Gail and Chris (James Feldman); and grandsons, Benjamin Cole and Samuel Robinson. She was preceded in death by her mother, Edith Robinson Cratty Hooper; father, Walter Bryant Cratty; brothers, James Robinson Cratty and Bryant Jackson Cratty; and husband, Jack.

Pat’s family is profoundly grateful to the Capitol Lakes community, and the loving and dedicated staff who cared for her. Her family is also grateful to Agrace HospiceCare for the dignity and peace with which her life ended.

A celebration of life and reception will be held at CAPITOL LAKES, 333 W. Main St., Madison, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420