We lost our very dear wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend at the age of 71 on October 18th, after a four year battle with cancer. She fought courageously, and refused to let cancer define her or take over her life. Through it all, she remained the same kind, loving, supportive and beautiful woman we have always known.
Patsy was born February 7, 1939 in Paradise, to Ruby and Charles. She was the third of six siblings. She was a true Paradise child, swimming in the river, riding bikes, and spending her days with siblings, relatives and friends in the tight-knit community that Paradise was in those years. She grew into a fun-loving teenager who could play both guitar and piano. She met the love of her life, William, when she was 17 and soon married him in December of 1956. They made their home in Paradise where they first raised their four older children (Lonnie, Danny, Daryn and Renae) and then their two younger children (Rachel and Shaun). Their house was always full of love and laughter, music, friends and family. On July 31, 1971 after studying the bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses, Patsy dedicated her life to Jehovah and was baptized. She spent the rest of her life serving her God and one of her greatest joys was sharing the hope she’d found with others. She believed with all her heart in the resurrection described in John 5:28,29 where it says: “.. the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out…” This hope along with the assurance of living forever on a paradise earth with her family and friends brought her great comfort. (Ps. 37:29- “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”) Patsy was a member of the Thompson Falls Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Some memorable things about Patsy include her extreme kindness to family, friends and strangers alike. She always believed the best in all of us and helped us to believe in it too. She never gave up on us, even when we struggled. She was always there to celebrate with us during good times, and hold our hand through hard times.
She was so brave! When she believed in something she didn’t hesitate to go against the crowd and say out loud (in a kind way) how she felt. She always did what she knew was right and true even if it meant standing apart. She approached everyone she met as a friend she just hadn’t met yet. She was loved by so many. Just by her example alone she affected so many lives in powerful, positive ways. Not just of the people who witnessed her and changed their lives based on her example and hope, but also their children and families.
We will miss her spiritedness and playfulness. No one loved to play cards (and WIN!) as much as Patsy. She was passionate about shoes and had many of them. No one had a better sense of humor; she loved to laugh. She was truly pure at heart. She told us all how much she loved us every chance she had. We never had any doubt about how much we were loved; she made sure of it.
She gave us a powerful legacy to live up to. Our lives will never be the same again without her. We ache for the day when we get to see her again, when she will be healthy and will be restored to youthfulness.(Job 33:25; Rev. 21:3,4)
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