Patricia Patterson Nix's Obituary
1931 - 2021
Patricia Patterson Nix passed away quietly late Sunday, 7 February 2021, at the home of her son in Spring City, Utah, with him by her side.
Born in San Diego, California 3 September 1931 to Drusilla Ryan Patterson, school teacher, and William Beresford Patterson, banker, Pat was their first of two children. Raised in the San Diego area, she relished learning and music, and graduated college with an accounting degree from the University of California at Berkeley, but also intensely studied classical voice, developing her own rich soprano voice with aspirations of an opera career. Her love of classical music and opera accentuated her life and enriched her family. Many times the sounds of the Metropolitan Opera filled the house Saturday mornings, accompanying weekly household chores.
Pat turned her accounting degree into a sustaining profession as a single mother. She worked for various professional establishments, but also focused on personal income tax law and for many years operated a home business as a tax preparer. Continuing education colored her adult life. Consequently, in addition to learning faith in God and kindness to strangers, all her children learned to understand personal finance, taxes, to deeply appreciate music, and the imperative of advanced and life-long education.
For nearly all of her 89 years she challenged the world’s commonly held views. Though staunchly conservative, and faithfully religious, Pat harbored a rebel’s heart. Once her children were raised, her causes led her to politics where she was twice elected a Representative in the Utah House (1987-1991). Several years prior she married a widower, USAF Lt. Col. (Ret.), Kenneth Jesse Nix, on 22 January 1977. As they joined their families, square dancing, American Legion, grandchildren, honorary grandchildren, family history, and temple service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would come to dominate their life together, with each passion richly blessing them. They resided in Orem, Utah for over 40 years. Kenneth preceded her in death (17 March 2017), as did step-son Kenneth Carl Nix (17 October 2019), and her brother, Dennis Ivan Patterson (26 May 2015).
Pat is survived by her children, David Edward Engebretsen of Coco Beach, Florida; Ursula Helene (Steven) Roll of Lehi, Utah; Zina Engebretsen of Pasadena, California; Mark Erik (Liliane) Engebretsen of Lynchburg, Virginia; Kjell Paul (Rebecca) Engebretsen of Spring City, Utah; and step-children, Bryan Jesse (Faye) Nix of Woodbridge, Virginia; Suzanne Nix of Salt Lake City, Utah; step-daughter-in-law Myrna Nix of Lehi, Utah; as well as many loved and cherished grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and honorary grandchildren.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Monday, 15 February 2021 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meeting house on 310 N 100 E, Orem, Utah, with a public viewing just prior from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. The family will gather for prayer at 10:45 a.m. A graveside service will commence at 2:00 p.m. at the Spring City Cemetery, 100 E Center, Spring City, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Pat and Ken’s dedicated service to the hungry, the family asks that donations be made to FoodandCare.org or a similar organization.
Please share you memories of Pat, or send a message to her family, at PremierFuneral.com/obituaries/
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