In memory of Patty Pillmeier

Patty Ann was born amidst the Great Depression in rural Kansas. In the Midwest, these were the difficult days of the Dust Bowl. Several years after her birth, her family moved to the city of Topeka, Kansas. Her childhood years were split between Kansas and Oregon, as her family moved often.

Patty married young, and after a few years moved with her husband to the state of New York. They built a home, and soon began a family. Patty spent her time as a stay at home Mom, raising her five children. She stayed busy, sewing clothes for the kids, and helping tend to a large garden. Many of the vegetables from the garden were canned or frozen for use throughout the year.

Patty never stopped learning. She loved to read, and her home was always full of plenty of books for everyone to read. Her love of reading remained with her throughout her life. She made the importance of school, and a good education, very clear. Although she did not attend college, she wanted all of her children to have the advantage of a college education.

As Patty’s children got older she returned to the work force. After a fulfilling career with several offices of the Orange County, New York government, she moved on to try new things. She became a notary public, earned certification to do income tax preparation, and became a certified nursing assistant.

Patty’s interests were quite varied. She loved Willie Nelson, as well as Claude Monet. She loved going to art museums, and particularly enjoyed the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. Impressionists were her favorite, and she especially admired the works of Claude Monet and Mary Cassatt. She treasured visiting her children and her grandchildren. One of her favorite trips was her visit to Colonial Williamsburg. She also enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, such as a good cup of coffee.

As her parents got older, she moved to Woodburn, Oregon to be closer to them. She found part time work as the treasurer of her church. She frequently visited the Portland Art Museum. She always enjoyed going to the Oregon Coast, especially Lincoln City. She could sit for hours just watching the ocean, happy as could be.

Patty was a fun, vibrant woman, with a definite sense of humor and full of life. She left us all too soon in 2008.

Written in love by her son,
Rob Pillmeier