Patricia Ruth Elliott Swanson

“Let there be Peace on Earth, and Let it begin with me.” On November 2,2023 Mom died peacefully in her home of 53 years with her daughter by her side. Our family cherished the love, kindness, appreciation, and gratitude that she showed us daily. We will miss our mom, grandma, and friend so very much…she definitely left the world a better place. Pat was born to Meade and Esther Elliott in Yakima, WA on the 30th of November, 1925. Her artistic father, an educator, was raised a Quaker and worked many years for the Yakima YMCA. Her mother was a caring nurse and an excellent seamstress. Along with her younger sister Kay she was raised in Yakima enjoying a close loving family life. In 1943, Patty Ruth graduated from The Yakima Senior High School after being involved in gymnastics, theater and serving as Student Body Vice President her senior year. Mom maintained close high school and college friendships for the rest of her life. Pat graduated from WSC (WSU) with a major in General Studies and a minor in History. Showing her love of singing she and 2 of her close college friends formed a trio, “the Sweet Notes” and even made a record. She met Dave Swanson while ice skating. Mistakenly thinking he was a high school student, she found out he was a fellow WSU student and that started up a relationship and that led to a marriage (August 28, 1948) that lasted 66 years. After moving to Union Gap, WA, son Michael David was born in September 1950. The family grew with the addition of Diane Patricia in August 1952 and Joanne Carole in April 1955, Yakima, WA. In Yakima mom sang with the First Congregational church choir (dad too) and the Habor club choir. Habor, (meaning the united stream), was a group of white and black women who sang for various functions in the community. In 1970 when the family moved to Wenatchee, she continued to be active in the community by helping to create the Women’s Resource Center and the Newcomers club. Five members of the Newcomers club became fast friends and continued to meet for the next 50 years. She also was involved with the election board, the League of Women Voters, sang with the Appleaires, was on the Wenatchee Park Board and completed the First United Methodist Church Lay school. In 2004 she cowrote a book ‘In the Process of Creation’ that focused on the history of the First Congregational Church in Yakima and the Reverend W.D. Robinson., a friend of her dad and her favorite minister. Mom was an avid game player especially her favored Scrabble and Chinese checkers. Mom’s passion for the outdoors and nature was fulfilled in daily walks with her dog in the hills near her home. Weekly local hikes with Dave and available family and friends were also a great source of joy for her, including breakfast out first and ice cream cones after of course! Patty Ruth blessed her family and friends creating heartfelt personalized photo/ poem cards for every event in life. She was a physically active person, skiing until her 70’s, swimming laps in her pool and spending many hours in her gardens of flowers and vegetables. Mom loved animals and they loved her. The house became a home to many stray cats and always a happy dog. One of her greatest pleasures was providing her family and friends with a beautiful home to relax, swim, visit and eat to your heart’s delight. Many memories were made over favorite meals and desserts created especially for us. Christmas rolls, numerous cookies and delicious candies were a tradition in our house. Mr. Goodbars, ice cream cones and Russell Stover chocolates never failed to bring a smile to mom’s face. Pat is survived by her children Mike (Wendy) Swanson of Bothell, Diane (Ted) Swanson Gilyard of East Wenatchee, and Joanne Sanford Young of Wenatchee; her grandchildren Julie Swanson of Spokane, Kara Sanford of East Wenatchee, Kyle (Sarah) Sanford of Wenatchee; sister Kay Hendrickson of Seattle and Bill Young of Wenatchee. She was preceded in death by an infant sister Mary (1922), her husband Dave of 66 years (2014) and her sons-n-law Jeff Sanford (1990) and Jeff Brace (2012). A VERY special thanks to Pat’s loving and compassionate Hospice caregivers who helped us tremendously in so many ways. A Celebration of Patty Ruth’s life will be held among the flowers in the spring.

Tributes

Patricia Ruth Elliott Swanson

November 30, 1925 - November 2, 2023