Patricia Ensign Richards

PATRICIA ENSIGN RICHARDS, age 92, graduated with honors peacefully, surrounded by her sons on Thursday, February 18, 2022 at her residence at Red Cliffs Assisted Living Center in St. George, Utah.

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Patti was born October 29, 1929, in Stockton, California to Milton Wright Ensign and Mona Larson. She was married to Lorin Lovern Richards, Jr. on September 6, 1950. Together they raised six children during their 56 years together.

Patti spent most of her life as a loving wife and mother, later earning a Medical Assistant Degree and working for Lorin in his podiatry practice and for Dr. Richard Christensen, dentist.

She was an excellent hostess at her dinner parties and was dearly loved by many friends. Patti loved to sing and enjoyed playing the piano, needlepoint, and reading. She attended the University of Utah after graduating from East High School. As a result of her favorite class, she knew all the names of “The Spring Flowers of the Wasatch.” Everything in nature gave her joy. Patti and Lorin moved to St. George for the opportunity to enjoy the southern Utah weather and play golf year round. She served in several Church callings. Her favorite were as Ward Chorister and Choir Director, with hopes that some day she could lead the Tabernacle Choir on a Sunday morning. Mom was also a Hostess at the Beehive House and Joseph Smith Memorial Building. For many years, she also enjoyed being a reader for former General Authority, Sterling W. Sill.

Mom and Dad spent nearly three years on a leadership mission to the Liberty Stake in downtown Salt Lake City. While living in Bountiful, they couple owned a Seagull Book and Tape store which eventually became Temple View Book and Tape. Patti was a loving mother who taught her children to live and love the gospel.

She had a special skill at making things around her beautiful. When her granddaughters came over to play, she had “old-timey dresses, hats, costume jewelry, and crazy shoes” for them to wear for their “Molly Woppit” tea parties. During a trip to Disneyland with her grandchildren, Patti received the title of “Queen of the Late Afternoon” complete with flower crown and magic wand. All of the grandchildren remember the lemon drops and lavender candies she kept in her purse to share. Her signature accessories were her pearls and clip-on earrings. Even as she neared the end of her life, her pearls were still around her neck.

Patti was one-of-a-kind. She had the unique gift of being a bright light to everyone she met. No one left her presence without a smile and every visitor appreciated her listening ear and sense of humor. During the last week at her Red Cliffs Assisted Living I'm a-love-a love-a you. Center she continued to express her gratefulness for her helpers and thankfulness to Heavenly Father for his loving kindness.

The family wishes to express our gratitude for the many thoughtful nurses, medical staff, earthly angels, care givers helpers and Michelle with Zion’s Way Hospice who took extra time to genuinely love our mother.

To conclude our phone visits Patti would always say, “I’m a-love-a love-a you.” Patti loved everyone and everyone loved Patti in return. So as she was wont to repeat, “Good night Sweet Princess; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

Patricia Ensign Richards was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Helene Ensign Maw, her husband, Lorin, and a daughter, Susan Dale Richards McShane.

She is survived by her brother, M. Dale Ensign (Elaine), her children, Kathleen Richards Ritzman (Lee), Steven Richards (Kip), Jon Richards (Karla), Matthew Richards (Kirsten) Bob Richards (Becky), her twenty-seven grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the Sunset 1st Ward located at 82 N. Dixie Dr. in St. George on Friday, February 25th beginning with the Viewing at 10:30-11:30am. Her life celebration will begin at 12:00 noon. A Graveside service and Internment will be held on Saturday, February 26th at 10:00a.m. at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Cemetery in Salt Lake City. All will be under the direction of Affordable Funerals, St. George and Memorial Mortuaries, Salt Lake City