Pat Nixon - Early life, College student, film extra, teacher and economist, Marriage and family

US first lady (1969–74), born in Ely, Nevada, USA. Following a difficult childhood, she taught in a California high school before marrying Richard Nixon in 1940. She felt the strain of being a political wife acutely and she was not an active first lady.

Pat Nixon
Born	March 16, 1912 Ely, Nevada, USA
Died	June 22, 1993 Park Ridge, New Jersey, USA
Occupation	First Lady of the United States
Spouse	Richard Nixon

Patricia Ryan Nixon (March 16, 1912 – June 22, 1993) was the wife of Richard Nixon and the First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974.

Early life

Thelma Catherine Ryan was born in Ely, Nevada, the day before St. Patrick's Day.

Her family soon moved near Los Angeles, California and settled on a small truck farm in the city of Dairy Valley, which is present day Cerritos.

College student, film extra, teacher and economist

After graduating from Excelsior High School in 1929, Patricia Ryan attended Fullerton Junior College for a while.

Left on her own and determined to continue her education, she worked her way through the University of Southern California.

She can be seen in a brief walk-on in the 1935 film Becky Sharp.

Pat accepted a position as a high school teacher in Whittier, California.

Indeed, it has been said that "Few, if any First Ladies worked as consistently before their marriage as did Pat Nixon."

Pat Nixon, referring to herself and her travails, once said: "I do or I die, but I never cancel out."

Marriage and family

While in Whittier, Pat Ryan met a young lawyer fresh out of Duke University, named Richard "Dick" Nixon.

Dick Nixon served in the Navy during World War II.

That same year, she gave birth to daughter and namesake Patricia, usually called Tricia.

Within six years Pat saw her husband elected to the House, the United States Senate and the Vice Presidential ticket with Dwight D.

Pat accompanied her husband abroad in his vice presidential years. Pat Nixon had a reputation for warmth; [...] Mrs. Nixon also upheld her reputation of always looking neat, no matter how long her day has been."

First Lady of the United States

One of Pat Nixon's major causes in the years that she lived at the White House was "volunteerism", as she called it. In the end, Pat's work brought in over 600 paintings and furnishings into the White House Collection. Mrs. Nixon also instituted a series of performances by artists at the White House in varied American traditions--from opera to bluegrass.

When they entered the White House in 1969, the Nixons began a short-lived tradition of inviting families to non-denominational Sunday church services in the East Room of the White House.

Pat Nixon continued her practice of joining him on state visits during his Presidency.

Her first solo official trip involved taking relief supplies to earthquake victims in Peru.

Pat Nixon was not completely preoccupied with political duties, and was an avid fan of soap operas, Search for Tomorrow being her favorite.

In August 1974, President Nixon resigned office.

Later life

Pat Nixon was in failing health in retirement and suffered a stroke in 1976 and again in 1982.

In December 1992, while hospitalized with respiratory problems, the former First Lady was diagnosed with lung cancer.

She died at her home in Park Ridge, New Jersey at 5:45 am on June 22, 1993 at the age of 81 with her daughters and husband by her side, the day after her 53rd wedding anniversary.

Her husband followed her in death exactly ten months later. She and the former President are buried at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda, California.