Patricia E. Lyon — Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

Patricia Erica Lyon (Patsy Ziemer) passed away on June 5, 2015, due to complications from a skull fracture. She was 87.

Patricia Erica Lyon was born in Cebu, Cebu, Philippine Islands, on Oct. 20, 1927. Her parents, Gregor A. Ziemer (1899-1982) and Edna Wilson Ziemer (1899-1983), were American Civil Service teachers living in the Philippine Islands when Patricia was born. They moved to Germany in 1928 where they established and managed the American School in Berlin. Gregor and Edna were active in pre-war Berlin society and observed first-hand the development of the Nazi party. They barely escaped from Germany as hostilities heated up in 1939. Shortly after arriving in Lake City at the age of 12, Patricia wrote the book "Two Thousand and Ten Days of Hitler" with her father's coaching. It described her experiences in pre-war Germany, became a best seller in New York, and was published in many languages. Patricia (Patsy Ziemer) attended Lake City High School for a short time.

After attending Stephens College in Missouri for two years, Patricia transferred to Hunter College in New York, where she graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She was then accepted to Columbia University medical school, but decided to raise a family first. She married William Eadie in 1947. She would return to Columbia University in 1961, to earn a master's degree in physical therapy.

The family moved to Palos Verdes, Calif., in 1962 where Patricia worked 25 years for Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, Calif., where she became manager of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Patricia married Frank J. Lyon in 1976.

Patricia is survived by her husband of 39 years, Frank Lyon; five grown children; and eight grandchildren. She has two daughters from her previous marriage, Gail Eadie and Barbara Myer. Barbara and husband Eric Myer have a daughter, Alissa Myer. Her step-daughter, Kathy and husband Greg Thomas have two daughters, Kate Thomas and Allison Taylor Thomas. Her stepdaughter, Lisa and husband Allan Kopczynski have two sons, Brian and Jason. Her stepson, Tom Lyon and wife Kassi have three children, Hannah, Frankie and Celina Lyon.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on June 20 at Pacific Unitarian Church (5621 Montemalaga Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274). In lieu of flowers, donations to the church are suggested.