Patricia Ann Daniel
May 2, 1940 - October 21, 2023
Obituary
Patricia Ann Daniel passed peacefully on October 21, 2023, at her adult family home in Twin Lakes
Washington. She was 83 years old.
Born May 2, 1940, in Groveland, Idaho to Thomas and Mary Stanger, she grew up in Idaho Falls,
Idaho and was the oldest of 7 siblings. As a child she loved books, horses, music and dancing. She
attended Idaho Falls High School and later in her life she received her GED and worked as a para
educator for the Federal School District. She married after high school and gave birth to her first child
Timothy, who died at the age of 2.
In her 20’s she had the opportunity to travel all over Europe. Where she fell in love with and
photographed each country, its people and their culture. She told stories of hitchhiking with her
Pomeranian dog, Lady throughout the German countryside. This sense of adventure remained with her
when she returned to the states and eventually made it to Des Moines, WA and established a home for her 5 children. Jeffrey, Michael, Terresa, Debra and Nathan.
She had a special talent for teaching love, service, kindness and acceptance, by her example. She had a
quick wit and loved to laugh. Her smile could light up the room and her children’s hearts. Her faith in the
teachings and life of Christ brought peace to those around her. When you got to know her, you discovered she was a self-taught poet, researcher, seamstress, gardener, advocate and librarian. But most of all you discovered how much she loved and was proud of her children. She taught her children to be curious, strong-willed, adventurous and charitable. She loved to hear of their adventures and accomplishments. She allowed each to create their own path in this world and never judged their journey. Her love was unconditional.
Patricia was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in many
callings throughout her time as a member of the Redondo Ward. But her most loved calling was being the church librarian. It was her second home. Many members recall her always being kind and willing to
help.
In the last year of her life, dementia robbed her of her strength, stamina and her mind, but it gave her
children the opportunity to serve and to give back all she did and suffered for them. She was a fighter in
this life, and she fought her way out of this life. The one thing dementia did not take from her was the
knowledge of her children. They were what brought her peace and safety when nothing else made sense.
Her memory will be cherished and kept alive by her children: Jeffrey Daniel; Michael and Lisa Daniel;
Terresa and Dean Brown; Debra Daniel and Nathan and Holly Daniel; her 10 grandchildren; 4 great
grandchildren and her siblings. She is proceeded in life by her oldest son Timothy Daniel, Parents Thomas
and Mary Stanger, Sister Bonnie Killian, Brother Raymond Stanger and grandson Cory Daniel.
The family wishes to thank the Twin Lakes Adult family home staff for their hard work, kindness and
tender care to our mother in her last days. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Patricia’s life on
December 2, 2023, at 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building on 841 S.
308th Federal Way, WA 98003. For those who are unable to go in person but would like to attend via
video a link please reach out to family for the link.
Patricia made a special request regarding her memorial. She requested that people not wear black and not mourn her passing. She always felt that leaving this life should be celebrated. In lieu of flowers please
consider donating to your local library.
The following poem is by Patricia Daniel for her daughter Debra Daniel on her church mission in Ecuador:
Knowing
Did you or anyone ever know
The faraway places you’d someday go?
Or ever imagine or even believe
The sights and scenes that you would see?
But a day finally came for you to depart,
With great excitement were skips of the heart.
As the plane you got on flew up so high,
Much too soon you disappeared in the sky.
To an unknown land so far away,
With all new sights and new people you’d stay.
You would work very hard and hardly believe
The love you would find, the good you’d achieve.
There you would search for His many “lost sheep”,
Befriend the lonely and lift up the weak.
Teach the truth to those who would seek,
Give to the troubled some of His peace.
Share your love with all you would meet,
Lead those who would follow you in His way.
Until much too soon would come that day,
When to all you had known, good-bye you’d say.
Back to your home you would have to depart,
Even though you’d be leaving your soul and your heart
With a land and a people you had once been a part.
Forever hold dear the sights you have seen,
Those you have lived with, the places you’ve been.
Keep a place in your memory for the land you did know,
For who knows in the future what faraway places you could go?
Pat was a wonderful woman. I always enjoyed being around her. She made me feel happy. She loved her family so much.
I have this wonderful memory of seeing her in the church library every Sunday, with a wonderful smile on her face. So sweet, kind and gracious to everyone. She was a gem.
I remember, bringing home one of her daughters from Girls Camp, I think Debby. I was so tired and dirty, from such a busy long week with Camp. Pat cheerfully greeted me with a grateful heart, smile and a large freshly made dessert for my family. I was so touched. I will always remember that moment in time, it meant so much to me…… Besides her great love for her family, I remember how much she liked to read! A beautiful soul and dedicated daughter of God.