Obituary

Patricia was born on September 3, 1928, in Coleridge, Nebraska to Gladys and Alfred Wilkerson. She married Henry Awana Lee August 4, 1948. Patricia graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa in September 1949. After spending most of their married life in Minnesota, Patricia and Henry retired to Ferndale in 1998. Patricia died at Whatcom Hospice House on July 24, 2013 while being serenaded by the Threshold Choir.

Patricia was a woman of her time and a woman who always reflected her Midwest farm upbringing. Patricia was also a woman before her time, one whose thoughts and actions were shaped by her continued exposure to the people and places of a broad world.

Coming off a small NE Nebraska farm in her late teens she chose nursing, a traditional profession for a woman in the 1940’s. At the same time she chose a nontraditional path when she married a young Chinese medical technician, Henry Lee, against the wishes of her parents. During this period she scored the highest state board scores for all registered nurses in the State of Iowa. Later in her life, at a time when it was not yet common, this mother of four became a businesswoman and business partner with her husband. Together they owned a successful manufactures representative agency. Always detail oriented, Patricia provided the organizational skills for the business.

In retirement and later after Henry’s death in 2003, at a time when many people live a life defined by what has come before, Patricia began building a new phase of her life. She took on new responsibilities in charitable organizations and continued to build new relationships and friendships with those lucky enough to cross her path.

Patricia will be missed by her family and community of friends wherever they may be.

Moles Farewell Tributes-Bellingham

Farewell Tribute Information

A celebration of Patricias life will be held at United Church of Ferndale on Saturday, August 3rd at 2 PM. Donations Information

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Assistance League, 1322 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225, United Church of Ferndale, 2034 Washington, Ferndale, WA 98248 or Whatcom Hospice, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225.