Laveen-Patricia Claire (Fritzke) Fink is a Christian, a beautiful soul, and a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She was born on March 3, 1931, to Arthur and Lenore (Poulson) Fritzke in Hutchinson, Minnesota. For financial reasons at 12 years old Patricia moved to California after her father died of an illness in 1942, and her brother, Robert Fritzke, was fighting overseas in World War II. To help she immediately began working at her first job in a cookie factory. In 1946, Leroy Lowden joined her family as a stepfather. Patricia was a gifted student, graduating two years ahead of her class at the age of 16 from Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, California in January of 1947. Attending some college and and modeling school, she worked for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Marrying a young WWII Navy Veteran, Richard Leo Fink, they started a family a family living first in California, Oregon, Arizona and Missouri before settling back in Arizona. Although Patricia became a single parent of six children early in life, she always had the support of her ex-husband as they remained lifelong friends. She worked as a court clerk for the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County until retirement. Patricia was a talented opera singer, pianist and artist of drawing and painting. She was an avid fan and season ticket holder of the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Opera, as well as a supporter of Campus Crusade for Christ and the Phoenix zoo.
Most importantly, Patricia's legacy is her family. Grandma Pat, as she is affectionately called, dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren, helping whoever was in need by babysitting, transporting grandkids, after-school care, spending time with them, and attending every game, concert, recital, birthday or event possible. Patricia is preceded in death by her son Charles (survived by Debbie) Fink, stepsons, Ronald and Bobby Fink, and grandson Aarik Pemberton. She is survived by her children: Lisa (Mike) Robertson, Lenore (Ruben) Sanchez, Susan (Mark) Potter, Patrice (Joe) Lauer, Richard Fink Jr.., daughter-in-law Kathy Carver, Stepdaughters: Marilyn Daniels and Renee Tavares, 20 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Patricia's faith is very important to her. Some of her favorite sayings were, "When you pray, believe" and "Keep safe in the name of Jesus." On February 29, 2024 Patricia Claire passed into the arms of our Lord and savior, Jesus. By God's Grace, until we meet again Mom.
