Patricia Messina, 83, has gone to be with loved ones and the angels. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 24, 2017 after a lengthy illness. She was born June 27, 1933 in Santa Ana, California. Patricia had a rich but strict childhood attending Catholic schools and graduating from South Pasadena High School.

In 1953 her first child was born and her mission to start her family began after marrying Ross Messina. In her early years she worked at Cleveland Container, first on the assembly line making paper tubes, then she was recruited into the office. She also worked as a bartender at Peppermint Palace when all four of her children were young.

In 1968 the family moved from Baldwin Park to Oxnard, California where she resided in Ventura County for 49 years. During that time she and Ross opened The Missile Tavern where they enjoyed their life together while building lasting relationships with patrons and friends. Mom loved her percussion music, sewing, decorating, cooking, landscaping and gardening. In 1982 her husband died leaving her with four children still to raise and she managed to accomplish the task with hard work and grace. In 1996 she sold her business to retire and to stay home enjoying many good years with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren whom were her entire reason for living. 

Her new mission will take her to a wonderful place where she will be socializing and dancing to her heart's content. Music, laughter, and love are guaranteed. She was preceded in death by her husband Ross Messina, brother, Don Umphenour, father Art Umphenour, birth mother Thelma Potts and foster parents Francis and Elsworth Jones. Patricia is survived by her four children, Arlene (Richard) Lappine, Laura (Ron) Messina-Smith, Anthony Messina, Donna (Dave) Messina-Ruiz; and nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Ventura County Star, July 6, 2017