Patricia Ann (Lester) Mize was born January 22, 1947, and passed away at home on December 7, 2025. She was 78.
Pat was born to John and Flora (Buffuna) Lester and was the oldest of five children. She was raised and educated in Los Banos and made her home there before relocating to Meadow Vista, California before returning to the Central Valley and ultimately settling in Chowchilla.
She worked for many years as the manager of the LeGrand Community Services District, from which she retired. Pat enjoyed gardening, going to the beach, collecting antiques and western memorabilia, and having lunch with her friends. Above all, she enjoyed her grandchildren.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John F. Mize. She is survived by three children: Jill (Keith) Williams, Amy Wiley and Johnny (Katie) Mize; grandchildren and their families: Ryan and Richard Ballinger, Timmy, Steven and Darrin Wiley, Trinity and Travis Hill, Josey and Jolene Mize and Sutter Bos; and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings and their families: Janice Becker, Lora Brazil, Karen (Jesse) Gamino and Bruce Lester; sisters and brothers-in-laws Joann (Danny) Gonsalves, Bonita (Don) Blair and Wayne Hagle. Her nearly life-long friend group also survives her.
Funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 23, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Los Banos. A reception will follow at the Germino Building at the fairgrounds.
