Obituary of Patricia Eileen Parezo

Patricia Eileen Parezo Obituary April 2, 1949 - February 18, 2021 Patricia Eileen Parezo, MA, LPC, NCC, 71, passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at her home surrounded by loved ones. Patricia was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD with her two sisters and three brothers. She was a graduate of the University of South Dakota receiving her B.A. in Education in 1971, and her Master’s degree in Counseling in 1973. She began her career as a Middle School teacher and Junior High counselor in South Dakota, but moved to California in 1975 working with schizophrenic and autistic adolescents at an innovative treatment center in Berkeley, CA. While on staff there she met her partner Owen with whom she would share the next 41 years. In 1976 they moved to Oregon, settling in Salem where Patricia devoted much of her psychotherapy practice over 44 years to the underserved. To Patricia and Owen’s great joy, in 1986 their dear daughter Leah was born, completing their family. Their home abounded with love, warmth, conversation, and laughter, hosting many wonderful gatherings with friends and family. Beloved mother, spouse, sister & aunt, friend, therapist and colleague, Patricia will forever be remembered for her compassion, caring presence, warmth, smile and laugh, her radiant spirit and her ability to connect with people. Love, devotion, and connection with others mattered most to Patricia. She cherished her work as a National Board Certified Counselor during her decades of service, and the satisfaction of helping others overcome their personal obstacles. Patricia actively engaged her community as a member and co-founder in a range of organizations, such as a long-running meditation group, Womanspace Resource Center, Salem Whole Person Health, Willamette Valley Counseling, Valley Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, and Co-Founder of Community Eating Disorders Treatment Link which served the Willamette valley for 20 years. She also encouraged community service and personal growth to others as a Girl Scout troop co-leader for 6 years and led Junior Great Books small group discussions at Liberty Elementary School as a parent volunteer. Patricia’s generous spirit and love of others carried her through her year’s battle dealing with cancer, and brought her grateful and loving support from her family and circle of friends We all will miss her greatly. Patricia was preceded in death by husband Owen, sister Lori DiDonato, parents Howard and Lorraine Parezo, grandparents, aunts and uncles. She is survived by her daughter Leah Janson Parezo, sister Cathie (Sam) Ogdie, brothers John (Anna) Parezo, Stephen (Beverly) Parezo, and Michael (Brenda) Parezo, cousins, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and loyal dog, Charles.

The family will be having a private service for Patricia because of the current Pandemic time.  In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Marion Polk Foodshare nonprofit.