Patricia Sue Carnahan
Patricia Sue Carnahan, 78, of Redding, California, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, following a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Born on Leap Day, February 29, 1948, in Hawthorne, California, to Donald Fay Thornton and Marian Elizabeth Jacobs, Patricia was one of a kind from the very beginning. Those who knew her would probably agree that being born on Leap Day perfectly suited her—she was never one to fit into a mold or do things the ordinary way.
Throughout her life, Patricia was known for her fierce independence, and unwavering determination, and remarkable intelligence. Those who knew her often described her as strong as nails, analytical, feisty, stubborn, and wickedly smart. She approached life’s challenges with grit and resilience, never backing down from adversity.
Professionally, Patricia enjoyed a successful career as a computer programmer, where her sharp mind and problem-solving abilities served her well. Long before technology became a part of everyday life, she embraced its challenges and excelled in a field that perfectly suited her analytical nature.
Outside of work, Patricia found joy in many passions. She loved tending to her gardens, tending to her chickens and horses, cooking meals that were clean, unprocessed and healthy, creating beautiful oil paintings, and gazing at the stars through her interest in astronomy. She was happiest in warm weather and near the water, spending many treasured days in Palm Springs, Las Vegas, at the beach, and at Lake Havasu. She also loved camping beneath the towering redwoods and enjoyed the excitement of snow skiing. These adventures created lasting memories that her family will always cherish.
Patricia had a mischievous streak that could catch you by surprise. Whenever she found herself in a bit of harmless trouble—or simply wanted to keep everyone guessing—she would flash that unmistakable smile and declare, “The Devil made me do it!” It was a perfect reflection of her quick wit, playful spirit, and ability to find humor in everyday life.
Above all else, Patricia deeply loved her mother, a bond that remained close throughout her life. She also cherished her family.
Patricia is survived by her loving daughter, Christine; her grandson, Shane; and her granddaughter, Emily. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Marian, as well as her five siblings.
Throughout her battle with cancer, Patricia touched the lives of many. Her caregivers and the medical professionals who cared for her came to know and admire her strength, determination, sense of humor, and spirited personality. Their compassion meant the world to her and to her family, and many grew genuinely fond of her during her journey.
Patricia will be remembered for her, resilience, fierce independence, intelligence and adventurous heart. She lived life on her own terms, never afraid to speak her mind, stand her ground, or challenge those around her to think a little differently. She loved deeply and laughed often.
A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date to honor Patricia’s life and the many memories she leaves behind.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Patricia’s memory, in honor of the compassion and hope they provide to families facing cancer.
As we remember Patricia, we can almost hear her reminding us not to dwell too long in sadness. Instead, she’d probably encourage us to spend time in the sunshine, plant something that blooms, enjoy the water, laugh with the people we love, and every once in a while... blame a little harmless mischief on the devil.
