Farewell to Patricia Justiniani McReynolds

When we heard the sad news last weekend that Patricia McReynolds had died, I couldn't believe it...

She was always at the Filipino American community events I attended. It was hard to believe that a vivacious lady such as Patricia was now gone...

I first heard of Patricia in 1997, having received an email from a professional colleague about a mestiza Pinay's upcoming novel which was just published that year. I got in touch with Patricia and was mailed a complimentary copy of "Almost Americans - a Quest for Dignity" from  Red Crane Publishers which soon became a favorite in my collection in my personal library of Filipino American books.

I had the opportunity to interview Ms. Patricia Justiniani McReynolds for a community newsletter. She agreed to meet with me and was gracious enough to drive down to our home. She was photographed holding a copy of her book in our new stairwell. Bert and I had just moved into what is now our home during the early Spring of 1998.

She signed my book years later because in my excitement to interview her, I forgot to have her sign my copy.

Patricia soon became a member of the Filipino American National Historical Society, San Diego Chapter. As the most senior member, she was also one of the most "treasured" members because she had so much knowledge, wisdom, positivity, and enthusiasm. She already lived a full lifetime before joining the FANHS, SD family. She was one of the educators instrumental in the Pilipino Folks Arts Program in the late 70's. Patricia's expertise was in the arts, specializing in Philippine textiles and the arts of Oceana. She later gifted me with several rare mini books that she illustrated as well as original notecards and informational handouts that she designed and authored. She was indeed a treasure trove of information and stories.

Patricia was also featured in the "Filipinos in San Diego Book" (which was published in 2010 by Arcadia Press), with a special mention on page 115. The photo below was circa late 1970's.

The last time I saw Patricia was last Spring during the Asian Cultural Festival at Liberty Station.

I had just met Kirbie for lunch at a nearby restaurant and thought I would check out the festival and wander the booths. It was so nice seeing a familiar face. There she was, helming the House of the Philippines booth. She laid out the table with artifacts, books, informational pamphlets and even blank coloring book pages for visiting children.

Included below are photos and commentary from my previous posts mentioning Patricia McReynolds:

(Above two photos from my Asian Cultural Festival post, May 2013)

"She's such an interesting and smart lady.  I can't believe she's in her mid 80's. She is the author of "Almost Americans - A Quest for Dignity" which is her autobiography and details her life as a bi-racial child in the 1930's (her father was a Philippine immigrant; her mother was Norwegian), her experiences with racism and discrimination as well as her search for her roots on both sides of her ethnic heritage. I met her 15+ years ago during community work and had the pleasure of interviewing her when her book was first released."

This photo was taken during the "Filipinos in San Diego" Book Launch at the House of the Philippines in September 2010. Patricia is in the lower left corner.

(photo from my Filipinos in San Diego Book Launch 1 - House of the Philippines, September 2010)

"One of the other two women in the front are Patricia Justiniani McReynolds, author of "Almost Americans - A Quest for Dignity". She is a mestiza of Norwegian and Filipino heritage. Her father came to the US in the late 1910's and married her mother, a Norwegian in the 1920's. Patricia's first marriage had to be done out of state (out of California) because prior to 1948, there were anti-miscegenation laws that prevented  non-whites from marrying whites."

There was another book launch the following spring held at Miramar College:

(photo from my Filipinos in San Diego Book Launch in Mirama College, March 2011)

"Patricia McReynolds was also another guest speaker representing the earlier generation. I wrote about her in the House of Philippines post, but in a nutshell, she is half Filipina (dad) and Norwegian (mom). Her father came to the US in the early 1900's and married her mother in New York City. Pat had to get married out of state because of anti-miscegenation laws in California (pre 1948). She recently retired as an Art Professor from MiraCosta College. She's such a lovely person and I can't believe she's in her 80's."

I learned more about Pat in my conversations with friends who were key Filipino American activists in San Diego in the early 1970's. She was highly respected and known for her generosity and passion in educating others about Philippine culture and her history. She once told me that her involvement in FANHS, SD "kept her young". She attended and was featured at many of the FANHS, SD sponsored events such as conferences during Filipino American History Month in October, Women's History Month, and was a guest lecturer for Prof. Patacsil's Filipino American Studies class at Miramar College. Pat also attended and was a sought after speaker at the FANHS biennial conferences over the years, speaking in Virginia Beach, Los Angeles, and Hawaii to name a few.

Patricia was someone I admired and respected highly. She was a humble lady who had accomplished so much over the decades. It was truly heartbreaking to hear that she passed away due to illness.  She will truly be missed not just by myself, but by the Filipino American community that she so tirelessly served.

*Note - The medallion necklace shown in the first photo was a gift that Patricia gave to me in the late '90s. The delicate pink and green medallion, which was made in India, was inlaid with mirrors, beads and gold wire and strung on a  green beaded chain was one of my favorite vintage accessories. I often wondered how old it was and what types of exotic outfits she wore with it.

Patricia Justiniani McReynolds

September 17, 1926 - June 27, 2014