Pat McLaren

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, ggMac, aunt, and friend, Patricia "Pat" Fish McLaren on April 16, 2026 in East Wenatchee, WA at the age of 96. Patricia (Pat) was a true valley girl, as she spent most of her life in the Wenatchee/Cashmere Valley. She was born to Carroll Raymond “Ray” Fish and Esther Newland Fish of Cashmere, WA on March 27, 1930. Pat attended school in Cashmere. In high school she was a majorette and as a junior, she was chosen to ride on the Applets and Cotlets’ float, an honor usually bestowed on a senior. After graduation she attended Eastern Washington College where she was an honor student and participated in school musical productions as a lead dancer. She met her forever dance partner after being set up with Dick for the homecoming dance. According to Pat - Boy, could he dance!! After 2 years of college, Pat and Dick married and moved to Edwall where Dick was a teacher and coach. During their time in Edwall Pat gave birth to identical twin boys, Robert and Kenneth, and a year later a baby girl, Barbara. They moved to Cashmere where Dick continued to teach and coach and Pat was the Study Hall monitor. She was active in the Presbyterian Church and Den Mom for her son's Cub Scout troop. With her kids safely in Junior High, Pat continued her education at Central Washington College where she received her Teaching Certificate. She taught first grade at Cashmere Vale Elementary where she became known as the Frog Lady. Everything was frogs and over the years her collection of frogs grew and grew. After teaching for a few years Pat became the elementary school librarian and then moved on to become the Cashmere High School librarian / media specialist. Being a librarian fueled her love of books and afforded her the opportunity to meet some of her favorite authors. During her time working in the high school, she was most proud of being the Knowledge Bowl team advisor. Upon retirement she spent a lot of time traveling with Dick. First boating around the San Juans and then trading in the boat for their RV to roam through 50 states, parts of Mexico and Canada. Square dancing became a passion for both Pat and Dick. She designed the official Washington State Square Dance dress for the 1982 national square dance. Pat was active in the Basement Belles of the Wenatchee Valley Museum and enjoyed working in the Washington State Genealogical Society Library. Pat passed in the loving care of Bonaventure's Memory Care and Confluence Hospice staff. She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Richard "Dick" McLaren (2017) and her sister, Lenora Gail Fish Baird (2017). She is survived by her children, Robert Mclaren (Terri), Kenneth McLaren, Barbara Anderson (Knut); grandsons, Marc and James McLaren; granddaughter, Heather Flatness (Shane); great-grandsons, Colt and Hudson Flatness; and great-granddaughter, Kendall Flatness; nephews and nieces, Roy and Tammy McLaren. Betty McLaren Benefiel, Scott Baird (Jill); cousins, Vivian Newland Cornelius (Jim) and Curtis Newland (Henri) At Pat’s request, no memorial service will be held. Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the Cashmere High School Scholarship Fund. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guestbook at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements by Jones & Jones - Betts Funeral Home.

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Pat McLaren

March 27, 1930 - April 16, 2026