Patricia E Wilson Obituary (1922 - 2015)

Patricia (MALLETT) WILSON Our mom Patricia ("Patt") Mallett Wilson began brightening the world on February 7, 1922 when she was born to Evelyn and Henry Henrichs in Seattle, WA. Patt spent her early years at St. John Catholic School in Phinney, with her older sister Betty and younger brother Hugh. Her high school years were spent on the "long" trip from Phinney Ridge to North Capitol Hill to attend Holy Names Academy. She married George Robert ("Bob") Mallett on April 10, 1944, and together they had eight children: Laurie Mallett, Jill Forcier (Rick), Barbara L. Frye (Ray), Paul K. Mallett (Alyce), John R. Mallett, James J. Mallett, Susann P. McKenzie, and Maggie ("Moge") Mallett (Dean Swanson). Patt worked as a telephone operator and attended college for a couple years. After marrying Bob, she put her whole heart into loving and raising her children, which included her incredible talent of sewing beautiful and finely crafted dresses, coats, and other garments for the family. She had a passion for sewing, and started a collection of thimbles somewhere along the way. It wasn't unusual to find her at her 1940 Singer sewing machine into the wee hours of the night before Easter Sunday. Easter always meant so much to mom, with egg dying, mass, brunch and of course the egg hunt. Many a midnight Christmas Eves, you would find her in the bedroom with a pile of gifts, wrapping paper and ribbon, contemplating where she had hidden a missing gift or two, or finalizing a special gift being made for one of us. Then Christmas morning, off we'd go with her beloved nieces and nephews to Grandma and Grandpa's. New Year's Eve was spent with her kids banging pots and pans on the covered porch at midnight. She loved the holidays with all the family around. In 1962, Patt and family moved to the Ravenna area. Mom was a big volunteer for Blessed Sacrament Church and School. The house on the boulevard where we lived was known as "the Mallett house" to many neighbors and friends. So many dinners at her table included a 9th and 10th child, and the food was not fancy, but there was always enough for whomever was joining in. After dinner at the Mallett house was a busy time: during lent it was saying the rosary, of course homework, baths, sometimes dancing with dad, listening to the stereo (or yelling to turn it down) and watching something fascinating on the black and white TV with Neapolitan ice cream, homemade French fries, or her popcorn with homemade carmel sauce (usually not until Friday night). The family would bounce up and down in the car driving up the north 65th street hills to Phinney to see our Grandparents after mass on Sunday, and she'd get us a nickel ice cream cones if it was warranted. Mom loved ice cream! Summers included camping with her kids at local state parks, watching Ivar's fireworks shows and going to Seafair. We'd have prime seats reserved in front of our dad's family business, Mallett's Electric for the University Kiddie's parade. Our house was a very lively place with lots of love, humor, and change. After all, how else could life be in the University District in the 1960s? After taking several business classes in the early to mid-60s, including the required shorthand, Patt was offered the role of office manager with the University Congregational Church under the loving direction of the late Rev. Dr. Dale Turner. After Bob's death in 1969, Dr. Turner became an integral guide for our family. Mom's devout Catholicism never once stood in the way of the incredibly strong relationships she made during her time at UCC, and it was among that fulfilling and lively community where she met her second husband, Woodrow ("Woody") Wilson. Patt and Woody married on May 1,1979, merging their families. This included not only the 8 Malletts, but our family dog "Petunia," and Woody's children Nancy Raschko (Tim), Jeanne Hyde (Don) and Neil Wilson (deceased). The couple spent 26 cherished and fun-loving years together. During this time, Mom moved on to work as a clerk in the King County Court system: the juvenile department for a year; and then for many years in the probate department until her retirement. Over the years, she continued to swim many days a week; relax with yoga; take tap dance lessons; golf; travel; and relish every moment seeing the children grow with families of their own. Together, during the fall and winter, the pair attended hundreds of Husky football and basketball games, and spring and summer were spent on the course at Sandpoint Country Club, up at the cabin on Camano Island, or at the condo on the shores of Lake Chelan. They were blessed with 14 grandchildren: Chad, Todd (Shannon) and Jade (Chris Hayes) Forcier; Jake, Julie (Matt Havlik) and Jon Frye; Anne (Kevin Bruce) and Mary Raschko; Adrienne (Colm Gent) and Matthew (Stacy) LaFlam; Shannon and Megan (Trevor Swedeen) Hyde; Jennifer Mallett; and Cameron Swanson. Along the way, they were also blessed with 14 great grandchildren! After Woody passed away in late 2005, Patt moved to Merrill Gardens retirement community where she continued to have a busier social life than most! She became a voracious reader, exercised daily, involved herself in music programs, Wii bowling tournaments, Rummikub, Bingo, and Yahtzee with her daughters. She cultivated her wonderful friendships with those at Our Lady of the Lake, and Merrill Gardens. Mom continued to spend as much time as possible with her former school and work friends, her special friends Dennis and Diane Rankin, Peggy Colegrove, Helen Smith Fisher, the Smith Family and of course her extended family. She went out of her way well into her later years to be a part of the important moments in the lives of those she loved--from weddings to school programs to weeknight ballgames, and getaways with her girls. She was nicknamed the "energizer bunny," for a reason! Patt always gave to those in need; her longtime dedication to the Seattle St. Francis House, her own local charity, "Woody's Helping Hands," and many other local charities was so inspirational, as was her unwavering faith (which also gave her the latest nickname, "prayer warrior"). Our mom was sharper than a tack, and had an amazing Irish wit, which kept us uplifted, until the very end. Although we are heartbroken she is now gone from our lives, her memory, indomitable spirit, wonderful stories, humor, sensitivity, kindness and generosity will live on in us and in the lives of all the people she has touched for many, many years to come. To our beautiful and gracious mom, rest in peace, with all our love. Recitation of the Rosary will be Friday, June 5th at 6:00 PM and the Funeral Mass will be Saturday, June 6th at 11:00 AM BOTH at Our Lady of the Lake Church 8900 35th Ave N E, Seattle, 98115 Remembrances may be made to St. Francis House- Seattle or Seattle Children's Hospital. 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