Patty was known to all as a lively, generous and multi-talented Spirit. She passed on peacefully at the age of 93, making her final journey on November 2nd. Patricia Eileen was born on St. Patrick’s Day in her beloved Walla Walla, Washington. She began her piano teaching career and love of music and English literature at Whitman College. She maintained her membership in the Washington State, Eastside, and National Music Teachers Assn for many years.
She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Washington in 1965 while raising 4 children, determined that
she wanted to complete her degree and branch out from her piano career. She became an accomplished writer, completing 3 books about family history in early Seattle and Walla Walla.
Her poetry was published in Seattle, as well as an article about her Uncle Norm Blanchard in the issue of Nor’westing Magazine in February, 2000. Patty wrote some of her articles about learning to sail on the family’s sailboats as members of the Corinthian Yacht Club. She spent many happy hours at the tiller sailing on Puget Sound, delighting in calling out “rail under!” when the boat was going at full hull speed.
Through their retirement years, she and husband Tom were a regular music duo at St Madeline Sophie Catholic Church, where she also served in St. Theresa’s Women’s Guild.
Many lifetime friends came to honor Pat & Tom on their 50th Wedding Anniversary, eventually celebrating 63 years together.
Their “Dinner Club” of friends enjoyed 40+ years of progressive dinners, costume parties, cruises and trips together.
Pat’s Funeral Mass will be at St Madeline Sophie’s Church, 4400 130th Pl SE, Bellevue 98006, on November 18 at 11 AM.
Pat loved her active life of music, art, painting, writer’s group, sailing, golf and travel, and most of all her Family. She is survived by sons Joe Widden & wife Colleen, Tom Widden & wife Becki, daughters Betsy Barnier & Jeanie Widden with her husband Ward Johnson. Her grandchildren include Jim Barnier, Frank Widden, Anna Olson, Dominic Widden, Kathleen Widden-Lavengood, Matt Widden. Her great-grandchildren include Christine & Ellie Widden, A.J. & Marlo Olson, Luke & Kate Barnier.
She wished any donations to be made to any of the following:
Eastside Music Teachers Assn, http://www.eastsidemusicteachers.org/
Cornish College of the Arts, http://www.cornish.edu/music/
The UW School of Music, http://music.washington.edu/funds/piano-scholarship-fund
Whitman College, Walla Walla, Class of 1944, http://www.whitman.edu/giving