Patricia Doralisa McLean was a lifelong resident of Ventura. Born March 5, 1930, in Oxnard, she lived with parents Mike and Dorothy Velarde on Simpson Street in the Ventura Avenue area. She lost her father at a very young age and was raised by her aunts Irene Salcido and Elizabeth Conklin.
On her mother’s side, she was a proud seventh generation “Californianos” descended from one of the earliest Spanish families to settle California. Her ancestor was Lt. Jose Joaquin Moraga of the De Anza expedition of 1776. From her father, she carried the Velarde surname, well known in the history of Ventura from the 1800’s. She attended Holy Cross School, Ventura High School, and Ventura Junior College. In college, she was a Pirate song leader, and excelled at tennis.
In 1949, she married her childhood sweetheart, Lewis Joseph McLean of Faria beach, a descendant of the Chumash who long peopled this area. They moved to Montalvo, first to Grand Ave then to Johnson Dr. and raised three children, Michael, Michele and Mark. If raising a family was not enough, she was president of the Montalvo Women’s Club, and a Cub Scout den mother. Her most ambitious project was the founding of the Montalvo Little League in 1961 with husband “Mac” and a group of volunteers from Shell Oil on land leased from the Sunkist Lemon Association. With local community support, they built “McLean Field” on Bristol Rd. Mac was first president and Pat was secretary and part-time scorekeeper. Montalvo Little League exists to this day. This was all done in addition to raising her angel Michele, a beautiful daughter with special needs.
She worked at the E.P. Foster Library, then as a Superior Court Clerk.
After retiring, she volunteered to work with a new organization called Family to Family. When leadership opened, she became president and held the reins for the next thirty-five years. The organization evolved from handing out sack lunches in the park to serving the entire community in its own kitchen on the Ventura Avenue, only blocks from where she grew up. Welcoming all, she would say this was not her program but the Lord’s and did not hesitate to attribute its success to the hard work of the volunteers.
Pat has received many accolades over the years. She has received the Rotary Club’s “Community Volunteer of the Year” award. Also, a Clara Barton Award for Community spirit from the Red Cross. She has worn the Jewelia diamond necklace for a year. From Earth Charter 2015 she was presented the Richard Weinstock Memorial Award for Social and Economic Justice. In 2017, she received recognition from the San Buenaventura City Council and from the new leadership of F to F for her long years at the helm of the organization she loved so dearly. As the City put it, “You are a shining example of how engaged citizens can make a difference”. Very special to her was an award from Pope John Paul II recognizing her for following Christian ideals in service to those less fortunate.
She believed totally in her faith, family and service to her community.
Pat is survived by her daughter Michele L. McLean, her son Mark L. McLean and spouse Virginia McLean, Daughter In-Law Teri McLean, spouse of her late son Michael L. McLean.
Grandmother of Maiya McLean, Kayle McLean, Tyler McLean, Gregory Copeland, Stephanie Copeland-Taylor, Camille Copeland Lewis. Great Grandmother of Samuel “Sonny” McLean-Love, Hailey Anne Myers, Samantha Taylor and Brianna Taylor. She leaves behind many close cousins, family and friends.
Thanks to Pat’s caregivers who gave of themselves and became family. You are all heroes.
Flowers are welcome and donations may be made to Family to Family at www.familytofamilyvc.org or the Arc Foundation of Ventura County at www.arcfoundationvc.org
Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 beginning at 2pm. A most Holy Rosary will be recited at 7pm at JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME, 757 E MAIN ST, VENTURA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at The Old Mission Basilica San Buenaventura, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 at 12 pm. Interment will be at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park immediately following. Reception will be at The Poinsettia Pavilion following the burial.