Travel agent, avid bridge player, volunteer, swimming instructor, Job’s daughter

Patricia S. “Patsy” Adams, a long-time Claremont resident who also lived in Laguna Niguel for 30 years, died peacefully on October 8 at Hillcrest retirement community in La Verne. “She was a cherished mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who embodied joyous energy through her sweet smile, optimism, wisdom, resilience, and warm presence. She will be deeply missed,” her family shared.

Born December 19, 1937, to Art and Lillie Smithen, Patsy graduated from Pomona High School in 1956 — the year the beloved campus burned down. She often recounted how she and her friends headed to the beach after seeing the school in flames, knowing the long-awaited last-day festivities would not take place. One of her fondest memories was participating in the Disneyland opening-day parade in 1955 and having the good fortune to meet Walt Disney himself.

She attended Long Beach State before marrying fellow Pomona native Richard Greer. Together they owned Pomona Wholesale Nursery for many years. During this time, she and her sister Laurie created Interior Plant Design, a business providing indoor plants and weekly maintenance for local companies. She also taught swimming in her backyard on Longwood Avenue, offering calm, encouraging instruction to countless children during the summer months.

Growing up in Pomona, she was surrounded by a strong sense of community service. Her mother was active in Pomona Beautiful and the Camp Fire Girls, and her father — everyone’s favorite butcher and the owner of Art’s Market on Pearl and Gibbs — served in the Optimist Club. Her paternal grandfather’s involvement in the Freemasons enabled her to join Job’s daughters in 1952. These early influences shaped her lifelong dedication to creating community and giving back. She served as both a Boy Scout troop leader and a Camp Fire Girls leader, and was an active member of the Children’s Home Society (now Children’s Fund). Her bridge group met faithfully for five decades, beginning in 1968 when they played at night after the kids were in bed. She treasured these friendships.

Travel was in her future: in 1980, she journeyed to China and Hong Kong to represent the California agriculture industry, accompanied by California Secretary of State March Fong Eu. Following this trip, she became a travel agent at two Village-based agencies in Claremont, arranging travel for local families and honeymoons for many of her children’s friends.

In 1994, she married David Adams of Claremont and moved to Laguna Niguel. She continued her career with Neiman Marcus Travel in Newport Beach, where she enjoyed meeting new people and exploring the world. Her Laguna years were filled with joy — trips with her grandchildren to the beach, teaching them to call her beloved wild bird she named “Lady” to eat a peanut from her hand, and hosting family and neighborhood gatherings.

She moved to Hillcrest in 2018 and loved being close to home again. “Her enthusiasm never waned — she enjoyed group exercise classes, Sunday worship at the Church of the Brethren, listening to Hai, Michael, and Ken play at Walter’s on Wednesdays, and, most of all, singing with the Hillcrest Singers,” her family said. “Although she had lost her vision, her voice rang out with clarity and perfect pitch. Her family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Hillcrest for their kindness and excellent, compassionate care.”

She is survived by her son, Michael R. Greer; daughter, Kathryn G. Woodbury, and son-in-law, Raymond L. Woodbury; grandchildren Devon and Bryce Greer, and Erin and Jennifer Woodbury; and sisters Janet, Annie, and Laurie.

She now joins her late son David, her late grandson Jordan, and her late husband David.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 19 at the Church of the Brethren, 2425 E Street, La Verne, CA 91750. Private interment will follow at Oak Park Cemetery. The family invites all who knew Patsy to attend and share their favorite memories.