Patricia "Patty" Cavanagh Dobbs, 85, of Newton, Iowa died on February 26, 2026, at Valley Vista Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Newton.

Patty (Cavanagh) Dobbs was born on April 14, 1940, in San Francisco, California, the daughter of William and Mary Ellen Cavanagh. She was raised and attended schools in Mill Valley and then transitioned to a group home first in Larkspur, California and in 1988 to Progress Industries in Newton. On June 11, 1996, she married Larry Dobbs, also a resident of Progress Industries and the love of her life.

Patty developed a thirst for learning about National Parks and the state of Wyoming. She liked nothing better than chatting with someone and startling them with the facts and figures she had absorbed. She visited many of these parks with family members and especially loved her stay at a dude ranch in Wyoming. Patty had an amazing interest and knowledge of two of her favorite actors – John Wayne and Christopher Reeves.

Patty is survived by her sister-in-law, Lynn Cavanagh of Grinnell, her nephew Sean Cavanagh (Diana Marrero) of Silver Spring, Maryland and her nephew Pete Cavanagh (Erin Cavanagh) of Wellman, Iowa, great-nephews, Daniel and Will, and great-nieces, Isabel and Kate.

She is preceded in death by her husband Larry Dobbs and her brother William (Michael) Cavanagh.

A private family burial will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell at a later date.

Memorials may be designated to Progress Industries, mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.