Citywide
Celebration of Life Set To Honor Pattie Daly Caruso
Pattie Daly Caruso was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on March 28, 1944 and passed away on September 17, 2017 at her home in Palm Desert, California. Pattie was an actress, writer, producer, television/radio host and philanthropist. She had her first radio show, “Pat’s Platter Party” on an ABC affiliate at the age of 17. Years later, after graduating from the Pasadena Playhouse, she had her first television show on a FOX affiliate. Shortly afterward, she would meet and marry her first husband, Jim Daly, and together they had two children, daughter Quinn and son Carson. Jim Daly passed away at an early age leaving Pattie to raise their children. Ultimately she met and married Richard Caruso and the family moved from Santa Monica to Palm Desert.
Once in the Coachella Valley, Pattie immersed herself in the local society. She single-handedly launched a local television show called “Valley Views” that covered local events, charities, celebrities and people throughout the Coachella Valley and was broadcast on both cable and local network affiliates.
The show ran for over 25 years and was the longest running talk show in the Coachella Valley. She would go on to host many events including “It’s Everyone’s Fight” for the American Cancer Society and “Holiday Voices” for the Eisenhower Medical Center Auxiliary.
She was the spokesperson for the Ronald McDonald House and received the acclaimed National Communicator Award for outstanding programming on “Valley Views.” She also founded and chaired “Media Mavens” – Ladies of Radio, Television, Print, PR and Marketing in the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area. She also worked as a reporter on CBS Local 2’s program, “Eye On The Desert.”
Pattie was named “Television Woman of the Year” in 1997, “First Lady of the Desert” in 1998, “Desert Woman of the Year” in 2002 and was honored with the prestigious Athena Award in 2003. She was the recipient of the 2004 Hero Award for her commitment to raising awareness and research for breast cancer.
On Mother’s Day 2004 she appeared on The Letterman Show and was honored as one of Letterman’s “Top Ten Moms.” In 2009, Pattie received a Star on the Walk of Stars in downtown Palm Springs. Desert Samaritans also named her “Citizen of the Year.” All of Pattie’s accomplishments are too numerous to mention but she would tell you her greatest accomplishment was raising her two wonderful children.
She always ended “Valley Views” with this saying – “Yesterday’s history, tomorrow’s a mystery, today’s a gift and that’s why we call it the present…live in the now moment!”
Pattie is survived by her husband Richard Caruso, daughter Quinn, son Carson and many wonderful grandchildren.
The public is invited to attend a Catholic memorial mass for Pattie Daly Caruso to be held this coming Saturday at 12 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert. The “Celebration of Life” will be conducted by Pastor Howard A. Lincoln. Sacred Heart Church is located at 43-775 Deep Canyon Rd. at the corner of Deep Canyon and Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert.
A large turnout is expected for the service so it is recommended that elderly and individuals who have mobility challenges arrive early.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting a donation to Sacred Heart Church.
Please contact Wiefels’ and Sons for service details at (760) 327-1257 or Maggie@Wiefels.com.
Submitted by Cynthia Holbrook
