Doris Patterson ’77, May 27, 1934 to September 5, 2014. A resident of Morgan Hill, she passed away peacefully in her sleep after a brief illness. She was 80 years old. She is survived by her three children, Sharon Castillo, Ross Jernigan and Jay Jernigan; four grandchildren, Dionne Obeso, Tom Jernigan, Melissa Jernigan and Meghan Jernigan; and one great-grandchild, Michael Obeso. Her children were with her when she passed. 

Doris was confident, smart and independent and had many careers in her life, starting as a secretary with NASA and ending as CEO and Chairman of Smart Products, Inc., a pump and valve manufacturing company in Morgan Hill, earning a B.S. in mathematics from Santa Clara University along the way. Doris took Smart Products from start-up to a thriving manufacturing business with a worldwide customer base. Each of Doris’ children has worked with her in her company at various times. Doris retired as CEO in 2007 and her youngest son, Jay Jernigan, took over as CEO. Doris remained active in the business, serving as Chairman of the Board at the time of her death.

Doris loved to dance and travel. She competed in ball room dancing for a number of years and had many trophies to attest to her skills. She traveled throughout the world and loved to explore new places, especially those with nice shops and boutiques! Doris was also a philanthropist, donating much of her time to charitable causes. She was a Rotarian in Morgan Hill and had many friends there.