The nickname of Richard Nixon's wife was Pat.
Nickname . The term diminutive name refers to nicknames that convey smallness , hence something regarded with affection or familiarity ( e.g. , referring to children ) , or contempt . Thelma Catherine `` Pat '' Nixon ( née Ryan ; March 16 , 1912 -- June 22 , 1993 ) was the wife of Richard Nixon , the 37th President of the United States , and First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974 . Richard Nixon . He and his wife Pat moved to Washington in 1942 to work for the federal government .