Patty Siegel, 1945 - 2015

"Yesterday, on a beautiful, clear Christmas morning, our mom peacefully passed away. She is starting a new journey, hopefully in a beautiful place near the ocean. We love her more than any words can say, and already miss her terribly. There's some comfort in the thought that our parents are now reunited," messaged Patty Siegel's children, Tara, Toby, and Kelsey.

Patty was one of the great advocates for early childhood education and one of the founders of the resource and referral movement in this country. A tribute on the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network website observes...

"For more than 40 years, Patty Siegel has been a tireless supporter, advocate, and mentor on all issues related to children, child care, and family support services. Her passion for the development and delivery of quality, accessible, affordable child care services led her to found one of the nation's first child care resource and referral agencies, Children's Council (previously known as Childcare Switchboard) in San Francisco. Patty's work led to California's legislation providing state funding for child care resource and referral services in every county of the state. When the statewide California Child Care Resource & Referral Network was formed in 1980, Patty began what would be a 30-year commitment as Executive Director."

In 1987, I had the honor of joining with Patty Siegel as one of the founders of the National Child Care Resource and Referral Association (now Child Care Aware America). In working with her, I was amazed by her boundless energy and her tendency to let her strong emotions show in advocating for what she deeply believed in. I appreciate a movie poster on her Facebook page declaring, "She's Beautiful When She's Angry."

December 21, the day Patty entered hospice, was declared "Patty Siegel Day" by the Mayor of San Francisco.

To read the numerous tributes to Patty, the Patty Siegel Day Proclamation, and to find out about the service and memorial plan when it is announced, go to her Facebook page.

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