Patty was born, raised and lived most of her adult life in Gilroy, CA. As a youth she participated in Rainbow Girls, Girl Scouts, 4-H and other social clubs. She attended El Roble Elementary School, Brownell Middle School and Gilroy High School. At Gilroy High School she was a standout four year, three sport varsity athlete in tennis, basketball and softball.
She went on to play basketball and softball at Gavilan College before earning a Bachelor in Science, Civil Engineering, at California State University, Chico. Her professional career spanned over 30 years with the Structure Construction unit of CalTrans’ Division of Engineering Services.
She served as a Structure Representative on several notable projects, including the construction of the Gilroy CHP Commercial Vehicle Inspection Station on Northbound 101, CalTrans Maintenance and Operations Facility located near Highways 101 & 85, the construction of bridge overcrossings throughout the San Jose area. She served as Senior Bridge Engineer – Specialist for Structure Construction since 2008.
Patty is survived by her mother, Phyllis Shields, sister Karen Flook (Fred), brothers Michael and Steven Shields, nephews, Joseph and James Flook, nieces, Meghan and Emma Shields.
Patty was preceded in death by her father Ronald Shields, Grandparents Theron and Margaret Sowers and Grandparents Everett and Daphne Shields.
A Funeral Service in honor of Patty will be held at the Habing Family Funeral Home, 129 Fourth Street, Gilroy, CA on Saturday May 13, 2017 at 11:00am with a reception to follow. Online condolences at www.habingfamilyfuneralhome.com
