Patricia Marian Bateman Alton Mar. 8, 1919-Jan. 27, 2015 Resident of San Leandro

Patricia Alton was born in San Francisco to Alfred and Fern Bateman. Blessed with wonderful parents and family, she enjoyed a very happy childhood with summers spent at Pinecrest with family and friends. She attended Glenview Elementary and Oakland High School where she made many life-long friends. She was a gifted musician, performing and teaching throughout most of her life. She earned her way through college by giving piano lessons and was graduated from the University of California at Berkeley earning her degree in Music. She married George Powell Alton upon his graduation from Cal and they raised their three sons in Oakland, Lafayette and Danville.

She was multi-faceted: an avid reader, fisherman, classical music/opera enthusiast, world traveler and Oakland A's fan. A life-long learner, she continued her piano studies, practice and performance through-out most of her life. She had two grand pianos installed in the family home, where she, and her dear friend Melba Fazzio regaled family and friends with many memorable concerts. She was endowed with physical and spiritual beauty, and was liberal in her politics and her hospitality. A gourmet chef and legendary hostess, she was unfailingly generous, kind, tolerant, and open-hearted.

George, her husband of seven decades, preceded her in death in 2014.

She is survived by her sons: Byron, Robert, Bruce, Granddaughter: Christina, daughter-in-law: Susan, sister: Shirley McMillan, and sister-in-law: Lila Schmulowitz, nephew: Daniel McMillan, and nieces: Shelley McPeak and Patrica Cole.

A private memorial service was held and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Neptune Society. Donations may be made in Patricia's memory to the music department of the University of California Berkeley.

She walks in beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies, and all that's best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes; -Lord Byron