Patricia "Pattie" Riley Priebe

In Loving Memory of Pattie Priebe. Remembering a Life Well-Lived.

With heavy hearts and a profound sense of loss, we announce the passing of Pattie Priebe, a beloved wife, mother, Gabby (grandmother), sister, friend and colleague. She passed away on Saturday April 19, 2025, at the age of 74. She was born Patricia Lee Riley on April 7,1951 in Enid, Oklahoma to the late Bob and Polly Riley (nee Durham). She lived a life full of love, laughter, and unwavering dedication to family and friends.

Early Life

While Pattie was born in Enid, OK, she moved to Denver, CO at a young age. She grew up in a warm and supportive family with her parents and four brothers: Bill, Jim, Robb, and Rich. From a young age, she showed warmth and openheartedness. In addition, she was smart as a whip and very committed to obtaining an education. Her first words were, “Me do”, reflecting a sense of purpose, autonomy and independence which were some of her strengths her entire life. As a girl she loved family nights with homemade ice cream, meeting her best friend at the
halfway point between their houses, trips to the family cabin in the mountains and family visits with her grandparents and her cousins in Stillwater, OK.

Personal Life and Interests

Her personal life was focused on her family and friends. Family included her husband, Steve, children and grandchildren. Married in 1981outside of Sedona, AZ on a bluff overlooking Oak Creek Canyon, her family life was always central to her. Her first child from this marriage, Luke, was born in 1982 (wife Casey and children Charlee, Tyson and Crosby) and her second child, Katie, was born in 1985 (husband Dan Van Kirk and children Melanie and Wesley). In 2020, her family circle expanded with the joyous reunion with her son Jeff Purrington who was born in 1969 (wife Stacy and sons Tristan and Rhys). She has two living brothers, Robb and Rich Riley, and two brothers who predeceased her, Bill and Jim Riley. 

She developed strong and close relationships with friends dating back to childhood as well as with friends who became close to her later in life. Whenever she met with any of these friends the conversations flowed easily. Whether sharing private experiences or telling hilarious stories, these relationships  nourished her and provided emotional support as well as comic relief. Pattie always loved and cherished her time with each of her friends.

Education and Career

Pattie attended Bradley Elementary School and Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, The University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Wyoming. She came of age during the late 60’s and early 70’s in Boulder. She identified with the idealism of the times and developed a strong desire to make the world a better place and to be supportive of those in need. Her heart, her ideals, and her life experience coalesced into a strong commitment to helping children and teenagers. 

After obtaining her B.A. in special education she became a Preschool Teacher and later a Parent Trainer working with disabled preschool children and their family members. Later, she obtained a master’s degree in psychology and completed a School Psychologist Credential program.

As a school psychologist she served teens and children in several settings including a residential treatment center, a state hospital, a substance abuse treatment center, a community special education program, an infant preschool program and the Napa court and community school program. No matter the challenges, she always led with compassion, respect and a desire to serve. Perhaps her most advanced skill was preparing detailed and thoughtful psychoeducational assessments. She cared deeply about these reports and poured herself into them.

Fond Memories

Those who knew Pattie will always cherish the memories of her kindness, humor, and unwavering spirit. She brought light into every room and left an indelible mark on the hearts of all she encountered. She was always the happiest when she was with her kids and grandkids. Looking at her photos over the years, every picture with her beloved children and grandchildren showed a beaming Gabby (so named by her oldest grandchild, Charlee) who relished every moment with each of them.

Pattie loved her walks. She would walk several days per week, heading out toward the vineyards and past Alston Park. She loved the moments when everything felt great and the songs playing led her to dance and twirl as she walked. When she got home after these walks, she would be beaming and happily report “I had a Bliss Walk today!!”

She was also a fan of the San Francisco Giants and the Golden State Warriors. She rooted hard for her teams and was not afraid to cheer loudly for good plays or to holler at the TV and call out the refs or umpires when they made mistakes.

She loved the scent and colors of lilacs (which reminded her of her father), purple irises, roses and jasmine. When she had a vase full of them, she would always want them nearby so she could deeply breathe in the scent (“aaaah”), enjoy the aroma and talk about what pleasant memories were evoked.

She had a definite soundtrack to her life as well. The Beatles, The Moody Blues, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac, Keith Jarrett, Van Morrison, Supertramp, Andrew Bird and Boz Skaggs were some of her favorites. She especially loved the early Beatles and would always sing along whenever these songs played. Back in the day, many happy hours were spent boogying on the dance floor.

She also loved the mountains, especially those in her home state of Colorado. She enjoyed hiking, camping, or driving down a road never-before traveled. When rounding a corner, she would see something and say, “wow – look at THAT!”. Whether it was the amazing view of a mountain vista, aspen trees with shimmering yellow autumn leaves, glistening rivers, a beautiful azure sky filled with huge billowing clouds, rocky crags or sandstone pinnacles. Other times it could be the sight of an unexpected deer, antelope, elk, moose, hawk or a momma bear with her cubs. Her sense of wonder and amazement never dimmed.

She was also a big fan of the hummingbirds which graced the feeders and plants in the back yard. “Hummingbird!!” she would exclaim when one of them visited and we’d share a moment and marvel watching our little friends hovering by the feeder. Luke, Katie and I have decided that from here on, hummingbird sightings will be Pattie’s spirit visiting us.

Final Farewell

A celebration of Pattie’s life will be held at 12 noon on Friday May 16th at Tulocay Cemetery Funeral Home Chapel at 411 Coombsville Road in Napa, CA. Friends, colleagues, acquaintances and family members are invited to gather and honor the wonderful life Pattie lived. During the service, those in attendance will be invited to share memories or tributes to the group. After the service, there will be a reception for all at the adjacent on-site reception room and patio.

In Conclusion

While Pattie may no longer be with us in body, her spirit will remain with us forever. We find solace in memories of her and the love she shared. Pattie’s life was a testament to the power of love, kindness, resilience, and unwavering dedication to making the world a better place. 
Rest in peace, dearest Pattie. You will be deeply missed, always remembered and you will live forever in our hearts.

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