Obituary of Patricia Reber

Patricia McNeill Reber, 61, finally won her battle with cancer. She peacefully passed away in her home surrounded by loving family on August 2, 2023.  

She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Todd Reber; daughters Bailey & Sophie; step-daughters Alyssa (Travis) Thorpe & Lauren (Brian) Collins; mother, Judith McNeill; brother and sisters Marjorie (Nick), Tamelyn (David) Breslin, Kenneth (Lisa) McNeill, Darcy (Philip) Chapman, Sean McNeill and Meghan Dodson; grandchildren Aiden, Aria, Mila, Theo & Kimi: Aunt, Joan Curtis, and many beloved nieces & nephews and cherished cousins. She was preceded in death by father Frederick McNeill; grandparents Marjorie & Kenneth Austin.

Patty was born in Abilene, Texas on November 10, 1961. She was the middle of 7 children, 3 older and 3 younger. She grew up in Tucson, AZ, graduated from Sabino High School in 1979, from the University of Arizona in 1984 and began her retail journey immediately after getting her Business degree. Her career took her to Minneapolis where she met and married Todd and where they raised their beautiful daughters. Patty’s career at Target included positions in Merchandising, Strategy, Design and Sourcing and a lot of world travel: Asia, India, the Mid-East, Europe, and Central America. As Vice President Sourcing, she led negotiations on trade agreements, served as a member of the US Cotton Board, and established a standardized fabric library which is still a valuable strategic advantage. She retired in 2020 after 30 successful years at Target.

Patty was a devoted wife of an incredibly loving husband. She adored her beautiful daughters – they were her world. She cherished her McNeill family and the new memories she created with them after moving back to Tucson in 2020. In retirement, she became a Maker, Stylist and chief cookie baker for Gather, A Vintage Market. She was an avid reader, adventurous traveler, passionate crafter, gracious entertainer, and stylish lady. She lived a vibrant and joyful life and fought her cancer battle with dignity, grit, and grace.

 

Patty and Todd established the McNeill-Reber Endowment for Colorectal Cancer Research. If you wish if you wish to donate in Patty’s memory, please use this link : https://give.uafoundation.org/make-a-gift.

 

Celebration of Life will be held on August 9, 2023 at 10:30 am at the Adair Funeral Home, Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Ave, Oro Valley, AZ 85704 followed by a graveside service at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712.  As this is a celebration of Patty’s vibrant life, she requested that guests wear bright colors.

 

To stream to service live please use this link

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/5287753383

 

 

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