Patricia May Kuhns

Patricia “Pat or Patsy” M. Kuhns, age, 83, passed away Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, at home after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. She was born on April 6, 1934 to Elmer and Patrice (Hayes) McIvor in Bellingham, WA. She lived in Bellingham her entire life but loved to snowbird in Mesa, AZ the last 20 years of her life. She married her husband, Robert, in 1950 and recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Duane, George, and Douglas, sister Catherine, son Robert Jr., and son James. She is survived by her husband Robert, daughter Patricia (Stephen Douge), daughter Jeanette Willett, son Richard (Sally), son Ronald (Mary), and daughter Pamela (Jose Velazco), nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by extended family, lifelong friends, including the “Larry and Jeanie Olsen” family and her Carriage Manor family in Mesa, AZ. She was known for her hard work starting with volunteering at age 12 in the old St. Joseph’s hospital, then performing in-home childcare, and finally working in janitorial and housekeeping positions until retiring in 1996. She enjoyed bowling with friends, winning numerous awards. She was also a part of the FOE #31 drill team during the 1970s, travelling as far as Philadelphia, PA and Dallas, TX for competitions. They came home with many humorous stories from these trips. She loved to travel with her husband in her retirement years: a trip to Europe to visit their son and family in the military, numerous motorhome trips including a nine-month trip around the United States in 2001, and cruises to the Bahamas, Panama Canal, and Alaska. The grandchildren have fond memories of the laughter and love on their summer motorhome trips. Her home was always filled with family for holiday dinners. She was known for her great home cooking including her wonderful potato salad. She enjoyed these gatherings as they were great times of visiting and lots of laughter. The grandchildren fondly remember leaving her house with a loaf of banana or zucchini bread after a visit. The family wishes to thank Whatcom Hospice for the wonderful care they provided – Nancy, Lisa, Cheryl, Debi, Robyn, and numerous other on-call nurses. She loved and was thankful for the care provided by her oncologists, Dr. Kominsky in Bellingham and Dr. Musci at Ironwood Cancer Research Center in Mesa, AZ. There will be a memorial service on Friday Oct. 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. held at Greenacres Memorial Park (5700 Northwest Dr. Ferndale, WA). If desired, memorials can be sent to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 3001 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225.

Patricia May Kuhns

April 6, 1934 - October 12, 2017