Tricia McLain passed away on December 22, 2024, at 44 years of age. She had been ill for some time and died at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego surrounded by her loved ones. 

Tricia is survived by her husband Robert (Rob) Hargreaves, her father John (Ed) McLain, her mother Gayle Starnes and her half-sister Lisa. Tricia is also survived by many very close friends who have been family to her for many years.

Tricia was born in Fontana, CA and grew up in Moreno Valley where she graduated from Moreno Valley High School. Tricia then earned her BA from California State University San Bernadino and her master’s in education from Chapman University. Tricia also obtained educational credentials in Multiple Subject, Special Education and Administration.

Tricia began her education career in Indio, followed by Lakeland Village School in Lake Elsinore where she oversaw the AVID program, empowering many students to become the first from their family to go on to attend college. She lastly worked at Chollas-Mead Elementary School in San Diego where she was a literary resource teacher. A passionate educator and advocate for children, Tricia had a great impact on the students she taught and many others who were not in her class. This impact was reflected by the number of former colleagues and students who reached out and visited her while she was ill. 

Tricia was an avid traveler. She traveled the world extensively meeting many people as she went, a great number of whom became lifelong friends. Always seeking adventure and personal growth, Tricia hiked the Camino de Santiago and the Camino Portugues, carrying her backpack and learning a lot about herself along the way. She had many wonderful stories to tell of the places she went and the people she met.

Health and fitness were very important parts of Tricia’s life, she would practice different types of yoga, attending classes and many retreats with her best friend Candace. She was a keen runner, taking part in 5k’s to half marathons and Ragnar team events. For her 38th birthday she set herself the goal of completing a half marathon a month for the whole year. This goal was competed at events all over the country from San Diego to Portland, ME to Seattle and many places in between. 

An animal lover, Tricia leaves behind her four beloved pets. Ella, her corgi and her cats, Nelson, Cashmere and Calypso. She loved them and all the chaos they brought to the house.

Above all it was the people she met during her life that meant the most to her. Her friendships and relationships were so important to her, and she spent time and energy to make sure people knew that. To know Tricia was to be loved by her. She will be missed by many.

A celebration of Tricia’s life is planned.