Patricia "Patty" Jensen's Obituary
Patricia Jensen—known to all as Patty—passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, at the age of 83. Born January 13, 1942, in New Jersey, Patty’s journey took her to Southern California, where she graduated from Earl Warren High School in Downey, California. It was there she met Don Jensen, the love of her life. After earning her dental hygiene degree from Columbia University, she reunited with Don and soon after they married. Together, they spent 59 wonderful years traveling the world, living in many places, and building a life filled with laughter, family, and adventure.
Patty will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her servant heart, quick wit and her remarkable ability to make everyone feel special. She had a gift for kindness and a way of brightening any room she entered. She always found beauty in life, and loved deeply and selflessly. When serving others she would always say, “my pleasure,” and meant it from the bottom of her heart. Even in her most difficult last years living with terminal cancer, she remained joyful, thankful and assured “God will sort it out.”
Family was everything to Patty. She was a proud mom to Karen and Paul, and her home was always a warm, welcoming place. She loved gardening, long conversations, and dancing—especially flamenco, which she once performed in New York City while attending Columbia University.
Patty’s love and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed, but her beautiful legacy will never fade.
She is survived by her children, Karen (Todd) Shields and Paul (Tiffany) Jensen; her grandchildren, Savvy (Nate) Shields Wolfe, Dane (Katelin) Shields, Jake Jensen, and Audrey Jensen; her great-granddaughter, Adeline Janine Wolfe, and her brother, John (Judy) Wright. She joins her husband of 59 years, Don, who preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Voices Gospel Choir at Arkansas State University at https://bit.ly/jensenmemorial.
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