Mara Lane Patch was born to Dorothy Jenkins Patch and Harry Cousins Patch Sr., on December 30, 1953 in Parker, Arizona, alongside her twin brother, Martin. She and her brother were raised along with her siblings Maryetta, Vyonne, Dennis, Harry Jr., and later, Rayford.

She grew up on the Colorado River Indian Reservation, and attended school at Parker Elementary until she left to attend Sherman Indian High School where she met many lifelong friends. After two years of boarding school, she returned to Parker to attend Parker High School, from which she graduated in 1972.

After graduation, she attended BIA Police Academy and became a BIA Police Officer for a number of years, stationed in Reno, Nevada and Keams Canyon, Arizona, eventually returning to the CRIT Reservation to serve as a Corrections Officer for the Colorado River Indian Tribes. After a couple of years, she joined the police force again as a Patrol Officer for CRIT Police Department until 1988. She had a brief departure from law enforcement and worked as a Dialysis Technician with the local dialysis center, and a Community Health Representative for CRIT DHSS.

Mara returned to CRIT Police Department in 1989 as a patrol officer, serving for six years until the BlueWater Casino opened and she joined the new CRIT Tribal Gaming Agency in 1995, where she was a Gaming Inspector. In 1977 she was promoted to Supervisor of Inspectors providing training to all inspectors on tribal gaming regulations, state compacts and tribal sovereignty. Mara remained in that position, as Alpha 1, until her retirement in January of 2026. Mara's career in law enforcement extended for decades with more than 50 years of service, and with the utmost work ethic and straight forward demeanor, always on time and on task.

Mara had many nieces and nephews who she loved and cared for taking on the role as a mother and grandmother to all of them and their children. In her time outside of work, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, she enjoyed going to the movie theatres,  reading the bible, attending church, and spreading the gospel.

Mara passed away on February 26, 2026, in Goodyear, Arizona, surrounded by family. She is survived by her sister, Maryetta Patch, her brother, Dennis Patch, and her many nieces and nephews.

Her services will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Parker Nazarene Church, with an immediate family viewing at 9:00 AM, then the funerary services from 10:00 to 1:00 PM. Burial will take place immediately after service at the Town of Parker Cemetery.