Patrcia Orcutt Showalter
Patricia Orcutt Showalter, a distant relative of Lucille Ball, was born in Jamestown New York and came to Fallbrook with her parents, Bessie and Dewey Orcutt in 1942. Her father worked at Camp Pendleton as a carpenter and eventually became a Licensed Building Contractor. The family lived on property near Sandia Creek where they commercially raised rabbits for meat until a fire burned their barn. “It was so much work to keep hundreds of cages of rabbits well fed, clean and cool during hot weather,” she said.
Pat attended Fallbrook schools from 8th grade through high school. Meanwhile, her two older brothers, Dana and Bud (Ellis) also became Licensed Building Contractors. The Orcutt men built countless homes that still stand in Fallbrook, contributing to the lasting character of the town.
Age 14 1944
in High School Block Letter sweater
Aug 17, 1945
She married Dale Showalter in 1947 and raised three children, Terry, Gary and Tim. She worked at Larry’s Cafe, Buy and Save Market, the Bank of Fallbrook, Rainbow Municipal Water District, and the Fallbrook branch of Oceanside Federal Savings and Loan.
children Terry, Gary & Tim
1960-1965
She enjoyed being Room Mother in the children’s Fallbrook classrooms during their elementary school days, and Pat was one of the founding members of the Bona Dea’s, a women’s service club that consisted of wives of the Twenty-Thirty Men’s club. Both groups did good deeds in the community.
Pat is Campfire Girls Leader (blond on lower right)
In 1973 she had to leave Fallbrook for work, but returned in 2005 after retiring from the San Diego Community College District. “Fallbrook is home,” she explained. Her son, Tim and many nieces and nephews still live in Fallbrook. She continues to be an active member of the Fallbrook United Methodist Church and the Fallbrook Historical Society.
