Stanford Report, Jan. 21, 2004

Patricia Casey, 37-year employee who worked for Stanford Events, dead at 59

BY BARBARA PALMER

Patricia Gonzales Casey, director of business and finance for Stanford Events, died at her home in Redwood City on Jan. 10 of brain cancer. Casey was 59.

During her 37-year career at Stanford, Casey worked in a number of administrative posts overseeing budgets, human resources, facilities management, grant and contract administration, and student services for the School of Medicine and university departments. Before coming to Stanford Events in January 1998, she was business manager for the Department of Molecular Pharmacology. She also worked in the President's and Provost's Office and for the Medical Center's finance department.

As an administrative associate at the Sleep Disorders Clinic and Laboratory from 1970 to 1977, Casey contributed to its establishment, said William Dement, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and the clinic's founder.

Casey "was the glue that held everything together in the clinic's early days, which were by far the most difficult and challenging," said Dement. "She deserves as much credit as anyone for the fact there is a health discipline of sleep medicine in America and around the world," he said.

"She was a remarkable, wonderful, very kind person," said Tag Mansour, professor emeritus of pharmacology and former chairman of the Department of Molecular Pharmacology. Casey brought stability to the administration of the office and was notable for her ability to foster relationships, he said. "She had a good touch with people."

Casey was born on March 8, 1944, in Joiner, Ark., and moved with her family to California when she was 10 months old. She lived in Sunnyvale and attended Fresno City College before returning to the Bay Area. Casey began working at Stanford in 1966.

"I've been hearing from people all over the country who worked with Pat in the 1970s and 1980s," said Nancy Schonher, a former Stanford staff member. "She was so gracious and funny and warm. She was always willing to teach new people the ways of Stanford University."

Casey, a volunteer for Wildlife Rescue Inc. of Palo Alto, always seemed to have a little hummingbird or baby raccoon in a basket in her office, Schonher recalled. For the last 14 years of her life, Casey was accompanied her dog, Mollie, who frequently came to work with her. Casey hiked the Dish with the tiny dog in a baby carrier on her back, said Lois Wagner, assistant vice president and executive director of Stanford Events. Mollie died in 2003.

Working with Casey at Stanford Events was a joy, Wagner said. "She brightened every day."

Casey was an avid hiker, cook and gardener who often shared flowers, vegetables and baked goods with her colleagues, Wagner said. "She had such an incredible love of life and of the earth. We all learned so much from her about how important it was to really see all there is around us. There was nothing she didn't do to the nth degree to enjoy life -- including friendship."

Casey is survived by her mother, Dorothy James; a sister, Belinda James; and a brother, Anthony James, all of Fresno.

A memorial celebration for Casey will be announced later. Donations in her memory can be sent to Pets in Need, 873 Fifth Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063.

Patricia Gonzales Casey