Pat Preston’s friends and family will be celebrating Pat’s 56th birthday next month on Oct. 21. When Pat died in a tragic automobile accident on Oct. 9, 2005, a light went out in University City, one that had brightened the community of U.C. from 1985 until the fatal accident last October, two days short of exactly 23 years after her husband, Steven, died in a tragic construction accident. Suddenly a widow with a child to raise in 1982, Pat agreed it was “better to light a candle than curse the darkness,” and her candlelight covered the community, especially where it involved kids.
Pat’s son Ryan received support in his activities in Little League for 10 years, in Boy Scouts, culminating with the prestigious Eagle Scout award, and in other sports in which he participated. Pat embraced his friends and the door of the Preston home was open to Ryan’s buddies.
From 1985 to 1995, Pat served the University City Little League from T-ball through Senior League. You name the job, she performed it: manager, team mother, T-ball coach, player agent, field care, uniforms, medals and awards, snack bar coordinator, program book publisher. Pat became president of U.C. Little League in 1992 and 1993 after being on the board in 1991. In 1994, she was Senior League vice president. Here’s Joanne Conroy’s farewell address to this incredible woman when Pat ended her tenure on Little League: “In order to have a successful neighborhood Little League you must have either (1) a very large number of volunteers or (2) Pat Preston “¦ She understands that Little League is about neighborhood, friendship and growing up. Pat has taught us all a little about how to play the game and she will truly be missed.”
Little League isn’t the only group that misses Pat’s gifts, dedication and devotion to organizations in support of youth. Her resume and contribution to the community read like a professional’s. For her generous spirit and “can-do” attitude, Standley Recreation Council, on which Pat served as a Little League representative, would like to place a bench at the softball field adjacent to Standley Middle School in honor of Patricia Preston. Standley Recreation Council benefited from Pat’s talents for several years, and she was a force behind getting the restrooms for the University Gardens Park at Gullstrand and Governor. Pat also worked to get funds from friends and businesses for the Marcy Park playground.
At Spreckels Elementary School, Standley Middle School and University City High School, she chaired book fairs, magazines drives and chaperoned field trips. From 1993 to 1995, Pat served on the Standley PTSA. Standley gave her the prestigious “Honorary Service Award ” 9th District.” She worked as PTSA membership chair at UCHS. A dedicated member of the UCHS Boosters Club board of directors, Pat was concessions chair, staffing and supplying snacks for home games. It was time-consuming and a demanding position, but Pat always made it fun with her zany sense of humor and signature laugh that could be heard across the field or across the tennis courts, where she reigned as a competitive tennis player as a member of University City Racquet Club.
Pat’s personal charisma, organizational skills and engaging personality made working with her delightful. She had a legion of friends and fans as she volunteered her talents for Grad Night at UCHS. Even after Ryan graduated, Pat served as security chair for the following year.
Baseball, whether it was Ryan in Little League or Tony Gwynn in the Big Leagues, was Pat’s passion. For more than 20 years, she was involved with the Madres and supported their primary purpose to finance youth baseball and softball teams in San Diego County.
The Madres recognize Pat’s enduring contribution and have made an annual donation to U.C. Little League in perpetuity because of Pat’s impact on the organization. In another recognition of her service to U.C. High, a scholarship fund has been set up for graduating seniors in her memory.
Someone like Pat Preston should have a visible memorial reminding future generations of her talents, her willingness to make a difference as a role model in our community. In one of Aesop’s fables, there is a line that reads: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” A bench will be placed at the softball field in honor of Pat. Benches aren’t free and can’t be just placed anywhere in this city. Standley Recreation Council has gone over the first hurdle, getting permission to honor this incredible woman, by getting city permission to place the bench at the field.
The second hurdle, the design, has also been cleared. The third and final hurdle is finding the funding to pay for the bench. Whether you know Pat or you are just learning about her gifts, please give a donation so that future generations can sit on the bench, glance at the plaque with her name on it and think of what they can do to imitate Pat.
U.C. Little League has stepped up to the plate and promised $500 towards the bench cost of $1,500. Often we donate to charities that only give a pittance to the project. One hundred percent of the money raised will go to this project. Please send your check made out to Standley Recreation Council and on the memo put “Pat Preston Memorial Bench.” Please mail your donation to: Sarah Anderson, Standley Park Director, 3585 Governor Drive, San Diego, CA 92122.
The community may not have Pat physically with us any longer, but the bench will be a reminder to all present and future U.C. generations of the difference people like Pat Preston can make to their community.