Former California Horse Racing Board commissioner Patsy Freeman "Patti" Mancini died Aug. 14 with her son at her side in Thousand Oaks, Calif. She was 87.
Patti was born in Bell, Calif., to William Richard Freeman and Elsie Marie Stevens on Sept. 17, 1935. Patti's life passion was for U.S. space programs, and she enjoyed Thoroughbred racing, playing bridge, and golf.
She had a pioneering career with Rockwell International and was the company's first female vice president. She started with Rockwell early in the Apollo moon landing program and also worked on the Skylab, Space Shuttle, and GPS satellite programs. Her career progressed rapidly, and by 1978 she was named vice president of External Affairs and Communications, North American Space Operations. She was responsible for all external affairs, including, government relations at the national, state, and local levels, media relations, customer and community relations, and executive communications.
She received numerous awards and honors, including the NASA Achievement Award, NASA Skylab Achievement Award, NASA Public Service Award, Astronaut's Achievement Award, and many others.
She was also a pioneer beyond Rockwell on broader business issues and community outreach efforts. Patti served on various Board of Directors/Trustees, including vice chairman, California Horse Racing Board, Downey Community Hospital, California Round Table, National Energy Institute (University of La Verne), California Chamber Music Symphony Society, Aerospace Industry Chairperson—March of Dimes Walk America, Panelist on Conference on Women 1983, Board of Managers Downey Family YMCA, Cerritos College Foundation Board, California Museum of Science and Industry Aerospace Complex—Master Plan Committee, Coordinator for Industrialist of the year 1984 Banquet Chairman and Co-Chair Southern California Private Sector Host Committee—Forum for Women State Legislators Sponsored by Center for the American Woman and Politics, Rutgers University.
Patti is survived by her son, the Honorable William Mancini of Los Angeles, his wife, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Patti is preceded in death by her father, mother, husband, three sisters, two brothers, and her beloved uncles, aunts, and great aunt.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Thoroughbred Horsemen's Foundation (cthfcares.com) or The Rocket Center Foundation (rocketcenterfoundation.org.)
Her family wishes to extend their gratitude to Thousand Oaks Omnicare.
