Patricia Ruth Harasty

Patricia Ruth Harasty was born October 14, 1938, in Orange, California to Cleo and Daniel Broox Lucas. She idolized her older brother, Daniel. She passed away on January 6, 2026, in San Diego, California surrounded by her daughter and grandchildren.

Patricia attended Baldwin Park High School as a member of its first full four year graduating class. A dedicated musician, she participated in Pep Band, learning clarinet and percussion, and later played string bass in the high school band.

Patricia attended the University of Redlands where she majored in History, Government and English. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Pi Sorority and was fortunate to spend a semester in Hawaii. She met her future husband in a geology class at Redlands and on their first date they totaled Albert’s car by hitting a snow plow.

After graduation, Pat taught kindergarten at the Bassett School in the San Gabriel Valley. She traveled to Scandinavia and Russia with fellow educators around 1960 - an adventure she later revisited in 2013.

Albert and Patricia were married at the Chapel of Roses in Pasadena on July 8, 1962, and were married for 50 years. They lived in West Covina, California and had two children, Michael and Alicia. During this time, Patricia became credentialed in Special Education and took multiple enrichment classes in braille which led to translating texts for attorneys. She also learned ASL and taught it to her family. Cake decorating was another accomplishment for her.

Pat became very active in the Covina Women’s Club and served as their President for two years. In addition, she was selected as Covina Citizen of the Year.

During this time, she and Al formed the Albert E. Harasty Construction Company that specialized in building custom homes, restoring and converting banks, restaurants, and warehouses in Los Angeles County.

Pat’s fascination with genealogy developed almost to an obsession. She researched her family beyond the Mayflower. She joined the D.A.R.

Pat and Al enjoyed adventures in their 1967 Bronco. Pat proved that she was a good sport in these adventures. They enjoyed cruises to Alaska, the Danube, and the Panama Canal. Pat studied watercolor painting in Scotland. They also attended and filmed every sporting event in which Alicia participated in both high school and college.

With Alicia finishing college at Point Loma Nazarene College and teaching in the San Diego area, Al and Pat decided to retire and move to San Diego. On the day they officially moved into their new home, grandson Matthew was born, followed soon after by granddaughter Jillian. Pat’s long-time wish was to see her grandchildren graduate from college - a wish she was joyfully fulfilled.

Pat became very active in San Diego P.E.O. She served President to Chapter K several times.

Pat was preceded in death by her loving husband Albert in 2012 and her brother Daniel in 2008. She leaves behind her son Michael, daughter Alicia, grandchildren Matthew and Jillian, and several nephews and nieces.

Memorial services will be held at the San Carlos Methodist Church on Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m.