Patricia McKay Griswold

Patricia McKay Griswold died March 29, 2018 following a recent cancer diagnosis. She was 58. She was employed as a special education teacher who passionately dedicated her life to helping others succeed. Patricia was born Feb. 1, 1960 in Fort Benning, Georgia to Kevin and Patricia S. McKay. She grew up in West Germany, Williamsburg, Baton Rouge, Memphis, and Pensacola, Florida. In her teens, she found her first job as a motel maid. After that experience, she never failed to leave a tip. In her twenties and thirties, she lived in New York City and Rochester, New York, where her son, Jonathan Biltucci, and daughter, Crysti Biltucci, were born in 1986 and 1988. She worked as a waitress for several years before returning to Pensacola. In 1996, she graduated from the University of West Florida with a B.A. in Special Education and was employed teaching children with autism. In 1998, she married Lewis Griswold and bravely moved to Visalia with her pre-teen children. In 1999, her youngest daughter, Natalie Griswold, was born. For 19 years until her death, Patricia worked as a special education teacher at the Tulare County Office of Education. She was assigned to county classrooms in Woodlake, Exeter, Visalia and Tulare, teaching children with moderate to severe special needs. For many, she was known as "Teacher Trish." She often helped families navigate the educational system to obtain the best possible results for their children. In 2009, she earned her M.A. in Special Education from Fresno Pacific University, where she later taught night classes. In recognition of her skills in the classroom, the Office of Education awarded her the 2017 Brent Rast Award for Excellence in Special Education. In 2016, Patricia ran for election to Visalia Unified School District Board of Trustees in Area 5 and won with 54% of the vote in a three-person race. Her knowledge of educational issues soon became evident, leading fellow board members to name her Board Clerk after only one year. Her professional successes did not define her, however, at least not in her view. She firmly believed her most important accomplishments in life were raising her children and providing a loving home environment. As friends can attest, Patricia was very proud of her children. She will be dearly missed by family, friends, and colleagues. Patricia is survived by her husband Lewis, and her children: Jonathan Biltucci and his wife Marissa, of San Diego; Crysti Unkrich and her husband Aaron, of Buffalo, NY; and Natalie Griswold, a student at Fresno State. She is also survived by her mother, Patricia McKay, sister Mary Jo McKay, and nieces Stephanie and Alexandra Thake, all of East Northport, New York. A Celebration of Life service will take place at Christ Lutheran Church, 3830 W. Tulare Avenue on Wednesday, April 4 at 6:00 p.m. All are welcome.

Patricia McKay Griswold

February 1, 1960 - March 29, 2018