Stella N. Patri; Restorer of Books and Manuscripts

Stella Nicole Patri, who became a leader in the art of bookbinding and manuscript restoration after taking an interest in the field at an age when most people are approaching retirement, has died. She was 104.

Patri died March 31 at the home of her son, architect Remo Patri, in Sonoma, Calif.

In an uncommon life, the Montreal-born Patri survived the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, became a journeyman welder on liberty ships during World War II, and, at the end of the war, worked for the American Red Cross helping service personnel find family members.

But it was while working in a San Francisco bookstore, when she was well into her 60s, that she became interested in bookbinding and manuscript restoration.

Patri studied the craft and, in 1962, traveled to Rome to study document restoration. She continued her studies in Paris, where she focused on fancy book finishing, and in London, where she honed her techniques.

After the Arno River flooded Florence, Italy, in 1966, damaging countless documents of historical significance, Patri was among the volunteers who helped salvage the priceless ancient manuscripts which had been buried in mud.

Always curious and thirsty for knowledge, Patri returned to night school when she was in her 70s and took chemistry classes to understand advances in papermaking. Her clients included the San Francisco Public Library and the University of California Medical Center Library. She was also a founder of the Hand Bookbinders of California.

In addition to Remo, Patri is survived by two other sons, Piero, an architect, and Tito, a landscape architect; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to the United Farm Workers, AIDS causes and charities assisting American Indians.