South County Profile: Patricia Mailloux

Patricia Mailloux

Patricia Mailloux moved to Shasta County with her family and nineteen Tennessee Walking horses to build a ranch. After seeing the house and walking down to Cottonwood Creek, Mailloux and her family decided that this was the place they wanted to call home. They packed up their belongings and moved to Cottonwood in 2001 from Sonoma County.

Mailloux toyed with the idea of raising foster children while living in Sonoma County. One year after moving to Shasta County, Mailloux and her husband started taking classes through Shasta County. Five months later, they had their first foster children come to live with them. Altogether, Mailloux has had six foster children in her home. She now has guardianship of four children, as she and her husband decided that a sibling group needed to stay together.

Mailloux enjoys being able to go on outings with other foster parents and their children through the agency, Youth and Family. In her family unit, Mailloux enjoys being busy and getting the kids ready to go on outings and watching the children thrive.

“It’s rewarding to see where the children started, to where they are now and knowing where they will head in the future,” stated Mailloux.

Mailloux is currently waiting to have more children come live with the family, and working with them to become successful.

“The support we recieve from Youth and Family is great. If you have the desire to share your heart and home, being a foster parent is the best way to do that,” stated Mailloux.

Mailloux’s husband Paul is a very supportive part of doing foster care. He is a retired carpenter. The Mailloux’s have been married for 15 years and have six grandchildren.

Name: Patricia Mailloux.

Born where and when: Virginia, 1952.

Occupation: Foster parent, horse trainer and breeder.

Marital Status: Married for 15 years.

Family: My husband Paul, seven biological children and legal guardianship of four children (siblings).

Pets: 19 Tennessee Walking Horses, three dogs, two cats, three hens, one rooster and four rabbits.

My worst job: Working in a deli.

My first job: Assembling jewelry.

In my spare time I: I have no spare time.

My favorite book: Any books by Stephen King.

My favorite movie: Spartacus.

My favorite recording artist: Celine Dion.

My dream car: A six-seat economy car that gets at least 34 miles per gallon.

My friends like me because: I’m a good listener.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: My husband.

The one thing in life I’ve learned is: Patience.

The best advice my parents gave me: Be honest in all that you do.

My most embarrassing moment was: Accidentally walking into the pool fully clothed.

My most irrational act: Thinking I can do more.

My most valued material possession: Photos.

What I like best about the North State: How friendly the people are.

My hero is: My dad.

My pet peeve is: I have to have order.

My fantasy is: Running a children’s camp at our ranch.

If I could change one thing about myself, I would: Slow down.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: More foster parents.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: My family.