"While growing up, cousin Joan was always the standard that my mom used to encourage academic excellence. Joan was talented, determined and focused on being the best in each field she pursued. We were separated by geography for much of my life, but we renewed our relationship when she became a federal judge. She was a gracious host to my family when my wife and children visited her office in Washington, DC. Joan helped encourage my children, especially the girls, to raise their expectations of what they could achieve if they put their minds to the task at hand. We became closer while she served as a judge, because she traveled to San Francisco periodically to hear cases. We would meet there for dinner and update each other with the changes in our families. Her Christmas letters were always fun to read as she described the people, food and climates of the different cities around the world that she was visiting. Her letters were like reading National Geographic with verbal descriptions of the people and places rather than the pictures. My last contact was at the end of this past year when I sent her an invitation to a book signing in California. Her companion Doug called me to say that she had difficulty recognizing friends and relatives and that she was moving to a care facility. She was an inspiring person and I am proud of the fact that our mothers raised some remarkable children. I will miss Joan."
In loving memory of
Joan Seitz Pate
Joan passed away peacefully on April 30, 2015. Joan was born on March 29, 1932, to Anthony and Francis Kowalski, in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 16 she moved across the country to attend Arizona State College in Flagstaff, Arizona. It was there she met Raymond Seitz, her first husband and the father of her two daughters Laura and Cherryl. Joan completed her university education at ASU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Although she graduated top of her class in 1954 no large CPA firms hired women accountants so she started her own CPA practice in Phoenix. She met her second husband, Howard Pate when he made a sales call at her accounting firm. Although she didn't buy the office equipment, he was a great salesman and together they raised six girls, Howard's daughters, Pat, Barbara, Marsha and Peggy, along with Laura and Cherryl. After nearly 20 years of being a practicing CPA Joan decided to further her education and pursue a new career, attaining a law degree from the University of Arizona. Her first position as an attorney was with the Department of Justice in Washington DC, followed by a partnership at the law firm of Goldberg and Simpson in Louisville, Kentucky. The highlight of her professional career and the accomplishment that made her and her family most proud was her appointment as a federal judge on the United States Tax Court where she served the last 12 years of her professional career. Upon retirement she became a world traveler, traveling to all 7 continents, encompassing 65 countries and all 50 states of the USA. Joan is survived and loved by her brother Tom, her long term companion Doug and her daughters, Pat, Barbara, Marsha, Peggy, Laura and Cherryl, as well as 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Joan was an impactful person who will be forever remembered and loved. A celebration of Joan's life will be held for family and friends on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 p.m. at her Phoenix home on Boca Raton. For directions please contact Laura at 425-241-5480. Remembrances should be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.