Patricia Harris

Patricia “Pat” Harris, 90, of Prescott Valley, Arizona, passed away at home on November 6th, 2025, surrounded by her family, after health complications from a fall.

Pat was born on February 27th, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan to Millard and Linda Harris. She was the oldest of four children and started working at Kroger’s Grocery Store at age fourteen to help support her family. Pat moved to Los Angeles when she was in her late teens and attended Poly Technic High School. She took college prep classes and graduated a semester early to start business classes in the evening while working full-time during the day to continue caring for her family financially.

A few years later, Pat reunited with her high school sweetheart, William “Bill” Pullen as soon as he was discharged from the army. They married in 1955 and had two children; Barton Elliot in 1956 and Shannon Marie in 1958. The couple bought their first brand new home in Goleta, CA in 1959 for $17,000. Pat preferred to be home with her young children but due to necessity she applied at a title company where she told the boss “I don’t know how to do anything” thinking she wouldn't be employable but she ended up getting hired on the spot. Pat’s personality and natural ability to engage with the public brought instant raises, praises, and promotions.

Pat became a young single mother at a time when this wasn't very common at the time. Sadly, without health insurance and child support, her young daughter Shannon became seriously ill at the age of seven and needed life-saving kidney surgery. Innovative Pat petitioned to the March of Dimes and other organizations for donations to help pay for Shannon’s surgery.

Pat was fearless and unafraid to start new jobs. As her children became older and more self-sufficient, Pat ventured out and worked at a CPA firm where she worked with well-known and esteemed clients in the Santa Barbara area. One of her notable clients, an attorney, purchased a beachfront hotel property in Santa Barbara, the Harbor View Inn. With her classy and professional demeanor, he asked Pat to be the general manager. There she worked with upscale guests and celebrities, her favorites of which were the personal staff of President Ronald Reagan. President Reagan was so pleased with his staff’s positive hotel experiences that he wanted to meet her. She was invited to his personal ranch in Santa Ynez, CA several times after that.

Pat was very active in politics and was even a Goldwater Girl in the sixties. She continued to be involved with local political organizations and rallied others to vote. She enjoyed writing letters and calling politicians to give her opinions and feedback. After leaving The Harbor View Inn, Pat worked for a well known jewelry company in Santa Barbara and later worked for another escrow company. Pat’s exciting life allowed her to take many vacations and travel all over the country and the world. She was a special guest of the Sultan of Brunei in Malaysia.

Unfortunately, her active life brought on various health issues and she decided to retire early. In 1993, she moved to Lompoc, CA to be closer to her family when her youngest grandson was born. Here, she made new friendships while also keeping in touch with the lifelong friends she made over the years.

Her faith was always important to her and she loved sharing about the Lord which was always evident in her personal life. She started up children's ministries programs which included her homemade cookies in her new neighborhoods in the Lompoc area.

When Pat’s health started to decline further, she moved in with her daughter Shannon and her family where her daughter could oversee her care. Pat continued to stay active with church, politics, and local groups, as well as family activities.

In 2022, Pat moved with Shannon's family to Prescott Valley, AZ. Pat made some new friends and attended some local events until she had a serious fall in October of 2023 which caused her health to start to further decline. Pat was always referred to as the “energizer bunny” because she always recuperated from many illnesses and injuries. Sadly, Pat’s second major fall in October 2025 was the one that she didn’t recover from.

Pat is survived by her daughter Shannon Barrick with her son-in-law Britt Barrick, her five grandchildren, Justin Barrick (Danica), Brianna Kukawsky (Andrew), Cheyenne Rosson (Kris), Cooper Barrick (Megan), Cameron Barrick, her seven (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren, her five great-great grandchildren, her sister Mary Lou Wise, sister Diane Churchill (Rob), and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Please join us for a memorial service to celebrate Patricia’s amazing life on January 3, 2026, at Providence Landing Clubhouse, 699 Mercury Avenue, Lompoc, California 93436.