Gail LaRue Patterson

Gail LaRue Patterson

Gail will be remembered as an artistic and passionate mother, wife and teacher by her family, friends and loved ones. She passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2009 after a long illness at the age of 72. She was born April 13, 1937 in Philadelphia to Charles and Mildred Pfahler. She is survived by spouse Dean, sons Kynan Patterson (Jill) and Lt. Col. Kyle Patterson (Gina), brother Charles Pfahler (Gay), and grandchildren Kira, Collin, Ryan, William & Charles. She graduated from Abington High School PA in 1955 where she was a cheerleader. She then attended Houghton College in New York where she studied Education and participated in the Foreign Missionary Fellowship, graduating in 1960. Her true creative nature had shown brightest in the classroom during her long teaching career. She taught and nurtured children in the Kent School District for 30 years, but that was only part of the story. Whether teaching at an elementary, in Sunday School, as a scout leader or with her own children and grandchildren, she made minds grow, ideas blossom, and the unusual happen. Gail married her husband Dean of 49 years in 1960. They moved to the Seattle area in 1961 and lived in the Kent area since 1963. Two teaching careers with the Kent School District were split by a time of raising her two sons Kynan and Kyle. Her many volunteer activities included chairing the Seattle Symphony Family Concert in Kent, and working with the Kent area PTA, receiving the Golden Acorn Award for some of those efforts. Her other interests included taking automobile trips, fine foods, cooking, Native American culture, jewelry making, Celtic music, playing tennis, and movies. She found particular peace and joy with the time spent in her many trips to the ocean. Gail was a cherished wife, mother, friend and co-worker to many. Her sense of humor, unconditional love and dynamic personality will be missed, but never forgotten. We’ll miss you Mom. A private family service was held for Gail on Saturday January 2nd, 2010, where she was laid to rest at Hillcrest Cemetery in Kent. Please sign the online guest book for Gail at marlattfuneralhome.com. Remembrances may be given to World Vision child relief, Gail Patterson Memorial Fund, 1-888-511-6519, reference source code 105429324.

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