Long-time Idyllwild resident Patsy Ann Ball, 74, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007, following a heart attack.

Patsy was born in Oakland, and met her husband of 52 years, Hal Ball, while attending the College of the Pacific in Stockton. The two moved to Southern California in the late 1950s and raised their three children in Del Mar.

Patsy loved cooking, her crafts and her dogs. Patsy enjoyed the outdoors, as evidenced by years of camping with her family, traveling in their motor home and cruising the deep blue sea.

While raising her family, she learned to snow ski and scuba dive. For more than 10 years, she and Hal lived on their sailboat, the Sheryl Ann, and sailed the West Coast of Mexico from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta and all ports in between. Along their journey, they met many fellow “yachties” and few will forget their time with Patsy.

Patsy is survived by her husband, Hal, of Idyllwild; three children, Kent Ball of Danville, Steve Ball of Del Mar and Sheryl Ann Ball of Carlsbad; five grandchildren, Charles, Justin, Courtney, Nick and Gabe; her brother, William Estep of Novato; and her sister, Nancy Landis of Woodland.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the American Legion Post 800, P.O. Box 800, Idyllwild, CA 92549, or the Idyllwild Lions Club, P.O. Box 797, Idyllwild, CA 92549.