Patricia Ann Palmer Aptaker – Santa Barbara, Calif., formerly of Monessen

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF., FORMERLY OF MONESSEN Patricia Ann Palmer Aptaker, 76, passed away on Aug. 5, 2024, in Santa Barbara, Calif., following a long illness. Pat was the daughter of the late Dr. Ralph E. Palmer Jr. and Helen Conaway Palmer of Monessen. She was a 1965 graduate of Monessen High School. She attended Mansfield State College and graduate school at Penn State University Commonwealth, majoring in English. She was successful in two careers. Her first was in advertising, starting in Atlanta and later as executive and V.P. in New York City and Dallas, managing ad accounts for three major airlines. Pat then began a second career as an entrepreneur in the eyewear industry in partnership with her husband, Evan. The company they founded out of their garage in Dallas grew into an international firm that supplied most major U.S. and UK optical frame retailers and produced lines for Wrangler, Nickelodeon and many other popular brands. The Aptakers retired to the Montecito community of Santa Barbara in 2006. Between traveling for business and in retirement, the Aptakers visited 40 countries. Pat was very active in her community with philanthropic and service organizations. Pat served for many years as a volunteer for the Santa Barbara CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) organization, advocating for child victims of neglect and abuse in foster care. Pat is survived by her husband of 40 years, Evan Aptaker of Montecito. She was preceded in death by her brother, David, and is survived by his widow Sharon, daughter, Jennifer Palmer, and son, Andrew with spouse Lindsay and children, Carter, Adilyn, and Beckham, all of Indiana. Pat is also survived by a brother, Ralph “Rick” Palmer III and Tammie Boyd of Monessen; and sister, Dr. Susan Palmer, as well as stepson, Bob Aptaker with wife Caroline and grandchildren Emily and Devan, all of southern California; and grandson, Grant Aptaker of Arizona. Surviving cousins are Dr. William Cupples of Illinois, Dr. Howard Cupples of Maryland, Mark Conaway of Pittsburgh, Garnett Conaway of South Carolina and Patrick Conaway of Virginia. The funeral and memorial celebration were private and took place Aug. 19 and 20, 2024, via MCDERMOTT- CROCKETT MORTUARY, with interment at Santa Barbara Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made in her honor at her favorite charity, the nonprofit https://www.sbcasa.