Obituary

Patricia Louise (Patty Lou) Rushmore Schacht was born in Yakima, WA on July 5^th, 1928. She died due to complications from a stroke on August 25, 2020. She lived her 92 years with great faith, love for all living things, and with stalwart perseverance. As the cornerstone of our family and our greatest treasure, Patty Lou invested herself generously into each of our lives.

As a child, Patty Lou loved to camp and fish in the mountain streams of eastern Washington with her father Clark Rushmore and siblings William and Delores. At age nineteen and on a visit home from college, Patty had a chance encounter with her soon to be husband, twenty-nine year old William Vern Schacht, who declared on the spot, “This is the girl I will marry!” The two spent the next 63 years together as husband and wife, raising five children and countless family pets in the process.

Patty Lou, while raising her growing family, was also an innovative businesswoman. Whatever the endeavor, Patty Lou committed herself to ensure wild success and those who worked with her, customer and coworker alike, benefited from the experience. In the 1950’s, she and William opened and operated a retail home goods store in Union Gap, WA. Once moved to Bellingham, Patty Lou successfully managed several Hallmark gift stores during the 1970’s and 1980’s, and for over twenty years was a buyer and department manager for The Bon Marche’ when located in downtown Bellingham. Just prior to retirement she managed The Glasserie art glass store in Fairhaven, WA. As the Schacht family would relocate to accommodate evolving employment directives, Patty Lou was the one to manage and transact the purchase and sale of the family homes. She was savvy and creative; a fresh-baked apple pie in the oven during the open house was always part of the sales presentation.

Patty Lou was a fantastic cook who loved to read cookbooks for fun. She was family-famous for hosting huge spaghetti, lasagna, and cioppino dinners which often were accompanied by homemade blackberry pie, carrot cake, and Gravenstein apple crisps for dessert. As generous a human being as she was, getting her to share the (accurate) detailed recipes for these delights could be challenging and Patty Lou was not above quietly slipping a few secret ingredients into the pot when one of her granddaughters was attempting to learn and document the magic. Her kitchen was the center of every family gathering and her grandchildren loved to explore the contents of the special kid-level kitchen drawer that was always stocked with special treats, just for them.

Patty Lou did not simply “talk” to you, she connected with you. Whether you were family, an old friend, or a stranger in the supermarket, you were nurtured, supported, loved, and whether you realized it or not, you were prayed-for. Her family and friends often engaged Patty Lou’s prayer pipeline when they felt they needed a bit of extra spiritual influence in their lives. As we miss her and remember her now, we are all offering our prayers for Patty Lou.

As heart-broken as we are, we take some comfort in knowing that Patty Lou has been reunited with her dear husband William Vern (2010), son William Frederick (2009), daughter Kathleen Delores (1987) and son Clark Richard (2016). She is survived by her daughter Pamela Schacht of Everett, WA, son Fred Schacht (Colleen), of Bellingham, WA, and daughter-in-law Ann Marie Schacht of Mount Vernon. She is also survived by her granddaughters Gretchen Sullivan (Jamie) of Everett, Beth Reiley (Mike) of Salem, OR., and Sarah Schacht (Guillaume Rosney) of Seattle. Patty Lou’s loving grandsons include William Schacht (Hannah) of Oak Harbor, Nicholas Gullickson (Courtney) of Lynnwood, Kraymer Gullickson of Bellingham, Jake Schacht of Bellingham and Josh Schacht of Washington DC. Her great grandchildren include Mackenzie Mikus, Ruby Mikus, and William Schacht of Oak Harbor, Ryan Sullivan of Everett, Leo and Elliott Reiley of Salem, OR, and Logan Gullickson of Lynnwood.

In partnership with her husband, Patty Lou was the glue that kept our family together. She was quick to declare a family celebration to acknowledge a birthday, job offer, or new house, as well as provide love, strength, and a positive plan for advancement when times were tough. Giving-in was never an option, according to Patty Lou. Even when her own health began failing her, she remained focused on the things she could do to regain strength and independence. She set an amazing example for all of us to follow.

Patty Lou’s family would like to thank her live-in care giving team of Lexxie and Peaches for helping to make Patty Lou’s final time in her home safe, comfortable and filled with love and laughter!