Patricia Ann Camilang

Patricia Ann Camilang, 61, born on May 26, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, passed away September 6, 2014. She resided in Gardena, California, at the time of her passing.

Once diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last April, Patricia "Patsy" Camilang never gave up. She maintained a brave and courageous outlook – even through countless chemotherapy treatments, X-rays, hospitalizations and pain. She would pump her fist and say "Fight, Fight, Fight" from the movie You've Got Mail. She fought for three long days in hospice care in Torrance after the doctors gave her only hours to two days to live. She passed peacefully when she was ready with her daughter, Priscilla, and husband of 40 years, Paul, by her bedside.

She grew up in Lakewood, CA where she attended Mayfair High School. She met Paul one night out with girls cruising Whittier Blvd. It was not long before the two were married in September 1973. They started their married life in Culver City and later moved their young family to Gardena. They had three children Paul (1974), Phillip (1977), and Priscilla (1979) – which they wanted the family to all start in P's including their chihuahua PeeWee. Filled with compassion and loving personality, Patsy made friend easily and had no enemies. As her children grew, she began working at home taking care of kids. At one point, she was watching 18 kids at one time. Not many people can influence so many kids and have an everlasting impact on young lives. Many people referred to her as the baby whisperer, since she knew how to calm any baby down with her loving touch and fun personality. Kids would come up to her all the time, anywhere she went – mall, park, beach, etc. She just had a way with them and loved each of them like her own.

Before her illness, she attended many concerts including her favorite bands Los Lonely Boys, War, and Brenton Wood to name a few. She was also a true blue Dodgers fan and attended games with her daughter and family all the time. It was a tradition for her family to go to the Freeway Series game in April and Fan Appreciation Day in September. She was an avid reader in her psychic books by Silvia Browne and John Edwards as well as other true haunting stories. She believed in the after life, angels, and spirits beyond this world. She would go to local psychics from time-to-time to connect with her passed loved ones – parents and brother, Ted. You could also catch her at a local casino in San Diego playing her penny slot machines. She would never want to leave her machine and played until the early morning. Even though she lost most of the time, she enjoyed every minute of it and would even take a turnaround bus by herself during the week.

She was known for her happy personality. She was the life of the party, very sociable and easy to get along with. She had no enemies and was loved by all. She supported her friends and family especially her daughter, Priscilla, who she had a special bond with. She would always tell her that she was her biggest fan. They talked on the phone every day. Priscilla knew her so well that she would know her mood (happy, sick, sad, upset, etc) by her saying one word – "Hello". She was Priscilla's plus one. They did everything together such as shopping, local casino trips, manicure/pedicure, and dining at restaurants (her favorite place - Johnny Rockets).

Above all, she had a big heart and was very giving. She was the type of person to help a person in need. She did not hesitate to give her brother, Ted, one of her kidneys. She also would buy thoughtful gifts for her family's kids and her daughter's friends' kids.

Patsy is survived by her husband, Paul, her three children Paul, Phillip, and Priscilla, and her older sister, Mary Cruz.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California. In lieu of flowers, you may make memorial contributions to the Hirshberg Foundation for pancreatic cancer (www.pancreatic.org).