Patye Jo Hillmon Paul, 77, a former Richland resident, died Aug. 23, 2005, at the Kirkland Hospice Center in Kirkland, Wash.
For nearly four years Patye had been fighting courageously and was very much determined to beat her advanced inflammatory breast cancer. She was very alert and involved with her caregivers and family to her death. She always held out hope from the day she was diagnosed, and continued to enjoy each day as much as possible.
Visitations will be Friday from noon to 7 p.m. at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Recitation of the Rosary will be Friday at 7 p.m. at the chapel. Father Julian Cassar will be the celebrant.
Her funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Gray’s West & Co., with Jack Pittman of Baker City Christian Church officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Patye Jo was born March 13, 1928, in Helena, Mont., to Susie and John Collins. Patye lived in Billings, Mont., with her mother until they moved to Baker City when Patye was six. She graduated from Baker High School with the class of 1946. She remained close with many of her classmates, enjoying each and every reunion that was held. She attended Oregon State University for two years and was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority.
She spoke of the Oregon State years quite often and really enjoyed her two years there.
She worked for Lawrence Neault on her return to Baker City and at that time she met James Austin Hillmon. Jimmy and Patye were married at St. Francis Cathedral on Oct. 25, 1952, and they enjoyed nearly 35 years together. They loved each other dearly. Jim passed away in September of 1988.
Patye started her career in the banking industry with a position as “mail girl” with Old National Bank and continued on with her career with U.S. National Bank being a note teller, loan officer and branch manager at Halfway. She truly loved being a loan officer and enjoyed that job the most.
She enjoyed bowling, golfing and playing “desert rummy” and “31” with all her “Old Broad Friends” in Pendleton. While living with Susan and Larry, they played cards nearly every Friday night after dinner while listening to “Eagles Tunes.” Times we truly cherished being together! She was president of Credit Womens International as well as the Elks Lodge Ladies’ Club. After retiring in the mid 1980s, she and Jim settled in Richland and pursued “the country life,” enjoying fishing, gardening and their new friends in Richland. One of her biggest loves was of the water, and the Snake River — or “The River” — was one of her favorite places spending time with family and friends. She was an active reader and a huge sports nut. She enjoyed rooting on Tiger Woods in every golf tournament as well as watching all kinds of sports with Jim, Jack and Larry, her son-in-law.
After Jim’s death, Patye married Jack Paul and was active helping him with his business in Richland. She and Jack traveled across the country one spring enjoying the stops with his family in Arizona and Arkansas. They also enjoyed cruising with Susan and Larry and Larry’s family to Alaska and the Caribbean. Jack passed away in March of 1995.
Her little Lucky dog was a good friend and companion. He misses her already. Her “Grand Dog,” Palmer, was also a joy to Patye. She loved dogs.
Patye Jo is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Larry Calkins of Bellevue, Wash.; her loving companions and caregivers, Lisa Kata and Pat Stevens, both of Bellevue; sisters-in-law, Jane Kozel of Phoenix, Ariz., Helen Hoddy and her husband, Bob, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Marion Telamona and her husband, Jon, of Delland, Fla., Doris and John Bowen of Tule Lake, Calif., and Neri Anne Post and her husband, Bob, of Wilmington, N.C.; brothers-in-law, Ray Paul and his companion, Melba, of Fayetteville, Ark., Johnny Love of Willows, Calif., and Gary Hubler and his wife, Colleen, of Simi Valley, Calif.; nieces, Evelyn Niehues and her husband, Anthony, of Willows, Ranee and Deana of Willows, Colleen Hurt of Covelo, Calif., and Mary Ann Guirini and her husband, Pat, of Long Valley, N.J.; a nephew, Sean Long of Willows; as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews from Willows and from Long Valley; many good friends on the Calkins side of her daughter’s family; and many, many dear lifetime friends.
Contributions in Patye’s memory may be made to Susan Calkins in care of Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814. Susan would like to construct a “Patye Jo’s Hope Fountain” either around the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance or somewhere where cancer patients can share their hopes and dreams for the future. Susan discussed this idea with her Mom and Patye loved the idea as well. Susan will keep contributors updated on her progress and when the fountain is erected.
Patye’s family would like to thank all the staff at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for their wonderful friendship and care as well as the Evergreen Hospice in Kirkland.
Patye Jo, Mom, Gramma Dawg, we will miss you sooooooo!
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, August 26, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor