Patsy Stow Stebbins 1940-1990

STEBBINS, STOW, BUCHTER, STRENGE, BASART, ABBOTT

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/5/2014 at 10:01:01

Patsy Stebbins
Land-use planner

Patsy Stow Stebbins, 49, of Mill Valley died Monday, May 21, 1990, at her home.

She was born in Dolliver, Iowa, attended Iowa State University, and received a bachelor of arts degree in English literature from the University of California, Berkeley. She earned a master's degree in English literature from California State University and studied urban planning at the University of California, Los Angeles.

She had lived in Tam Valley and Mill Valley for the past 20 years.

In 1973 she joined the staff of the California Coastal Commission, where she worked for 17 years as a land-use planner specializing in local plans to protect the coastline and provide public access to the ocean.

Commenting on her work, Peter Douglas, executive director of the California Coastal Commission, said "Pat was incredibly committed to the environment and public service. She gave so much, took so little and left a remarkable legacy of coastal protection for the public benefit. The coast has lost a true and mighty champion."

She also was active in Marin County environmental campaigns and local elections and was a former officer and board member of the League of Women Voters.

She is survived by her fiance, F. C. Buchter of Mill Valley; her mother, Luella Stow of Iowa; three sisters, Jane Abbott of Mill Valley, Mona Strenge and Luann Basart, both of Iowa; and a brother, Perry Stow of Minnesota.

The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 6 at Rock Springs on Mount Tamalpais, near the mountain theater. Russell & Gooch Funeral Chapel in Mill Valley is handling arrangements.

The family is requesting that contributions be sent to the California Trail and Improvement Program, P.O. Box 3152, Long Beach, 90803. (Marin Independent Journal, Marin, CA, May 26, 1990)