Beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, Theda Burr Patnott, better known as 'Gus', 'Lady Gus' and 'Grandma Gus' to her family and friends, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on May 21, 2007, at Sterling Commons in Victorville. She lived at the Sterling Inn for 11 years and the Sterling Commons for almost one year.

Gus was born April 21, 1918 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her family moved to South Pasadena when she was still a young child. Her summer breaks were spent with her grandmother who owned a small market in Seal Beach. When not working in the store, she spent as much time as possible swimming in the ocean. Throughout her school years she was an excellent student and a very active athlete, excelling in both softball and volleyball. She graduated from South Pasadena High in 1937. Her first job was with the telephone company. When World War II started, she went to work in the Long Beach Ship Yard. After the war, she worked for the Long Beach Library system, then transferred to the City Manager's Office of Long Beach.

Gus had a love of life that she passed on to those who were fortunate enough to know her. She loved to travel and meet people, having the attitude that 'she never met a stranger.' Dancing and playing cards were two of her greatest passions. Her family was the most important thing in her life. Words cannot express how much she will be missed. Gus was widowed twice; her two late husbands were Wilbur Cass and William Patnott. Gus was the devoted mother of Diane (Cliff Whitehead) of Apple Valley; the caring grandmother of three, great-grandmother of five; and wonderful aunt of numerous nieces and nephews, and a dear friend to everyone she met.

Daily Press, May 2007