Patricia Ann Woods

Patricia Ann (Schnipke) Woods, also known as Pat, passed away on May 9, 2026, at the age of 90. Pat was born at home on July 6, 1935, in Flint, Michigan. The attending physician, Robert Hague M.D., had gone home for his supper when she was born, and Pat’s maternal grandmother, Flossie Thornton (a midwife), delivered her.

Pat was baptized a Catholic on September 9, 1935, by the Reverend D. H. Driscoll at Saint Mathews Church in Flint. She attended McKinley Grammar School in Flint, and on June 6, 1944, her family moved to Los Angeles, California. Pat attended Ascension School and graduated from Catholic Girls High School in June of 1953. During her school years, she was a member of the Girl Scouts, Our Ladies Sodality, and Latin Club. In August of 1953, she began her studies in nursing as a live-in student at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles, graduating as a Registered Nurse in August of 1956.

On Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1956, Pat married John James (Jack) Woods at Saint Emedius Church in Lynwood, California, with the Reverend J. Carrol officiating. Together they built a family of four children and a life grounded in steadfast love, devotion, and faith.

Pat served others for thirty-three years as a registered nurse, a calling that suited her gentle strength and kind-hearted, selfless spirit. She began her career at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in late 1956. After a move to San Jose in August of 1957, she worked in the maternity ward at O’Connors Hospital from 1957 to 1962. In July of 1962, Pat and her family returned to Santa Barbara. From 1963 to 1980, she was the office nurse for cardiologist Jack M. Mosely M.D. Following Dr. Mosely’s retirement, she returned to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital as a medical surgical nurse in June of 1980, was promoted to a Staff Three Nurse in 1983, and retired in June of 1989—excitedly moving to Shingletown, California. Throughout her life and work, Pat’s faithful care and steady generosity left a lasting mark on those who knew her.

Pat’s interests reflected a warm and attentive heart for home, nature, and the companionship of animals. In her own words, her favorites were, in this order: dogs (Golden Retrievers), ice cream (chocolate, best), birds (Canaries), and growing plants and flowers. In Santa Barbara, she was a member of the Audubon Society and Los Padres Obedience Club. Her many interests included traveling, crochet, puzzles, bunco, growing plants and flowers, canary breeding, bird watching, the outdoors, and home life—simple joys she embraced with quiet delight and enduring appreciation.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, John Victor (JV) Schnipke and Elsie (Thorton) Schnipke; her sister, Peggy L. Schnipke; her husband, John James (Jack) Woods; and her daughter, Colleen M Woods.

Pat is survived by her sons, John Woods (Martha Woods) of Pleasant Hill, California; Dan Woods (Kim Woods) of Walnut Creek, California; and Richard Woods (Mary Jo Woods) of Spokane, Washington; as well as five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Pat’s legacy lives on in the family she loved so deeply, and in the many lives touched by her devoted care, faithful presence, and beloved example.

Pat will be genuinely missed by her devoted family and remaining friends. Her family is grateful that she is now free from her long and heart-breaking struggle with Alzheimer’s Dementia which controlled her mind and body for far too many years. They are lifted up knowing that she was reunited in heaven with her lifelong love, Jack, on what would have been his 92nd birthday, and is now surrounded in heaven by her cherished Golden Retrievers, along with countless friends and relatives who have been waiting patiently to see and talk to her on the other side.

We love you mom. John, Dan & Richard.

Pat will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, Santa Barbara – Catholic, 199 N Hope Ave., Calvary Section C - 9 Lot AA # 1, Santa Barbara, CA.