Patricia Ann MacPherson
June 25, 1924 - March 19, 2011
Obituary
Patricia Ann MacPherson, June 25, 1924- March 19, 2011
It would take a world atlas to recount the travels of the lovely Patricia MacPherson, who died this Saturday after a long battle with cancer. Born on a dairy farm in Loyal Wisconsin, her musical family supported her in her first independent adventures into university. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Home Economics in 1946. Her first career reflected her love of travel, which would remain with her always. She was a stewardess for North West airlines in the late 40’s, and somewhere in the archives of Glamour Magazine, is a photo of her on the plane taken with Babe Ruth, as he flew Northwest. After her marriage to Tom MacPherson in Seattle, motherhood and family kept her busy as they became the parents of four in the early 1950’s. As the children matured, she studied and obtained a real estate license in Seattle. In the 70’s she began to travel and with her spirit of adventure, and made this her life’s work. During the 80’s she began an import /export trade from Thailand to Seattle. Eventually the travel and enterprise included China, Burma, and Hong Kong. With a shop near the design center in South Seattle, she was known as Haas Importers, Inc. She rode the early wave of trade from the Far East. A creative, talented and artistic woman, Patricia was devoted to her children. She tended her gardens in Seattle and on the Oregon coast. Patricia painted prolifically the last 15 years of her life. She loved fashion and design, teaching skills to her granddaughters. She was a student of Yoga, and taught classes in Seattle. The practice of Yoga was with her to the end, supporting the poise she maintained through the very last day of her life. During these days she had at her side, her three children, Tom MacPherson, of Gearhart, Oregon, Kelly MacPherson-Levy of New Rochelle, NY, and Kevin MacPherson of Seattle. One son, Brian MacPherson preceded her in death in 1995. She leaves six grandchildren, Alec MacPherson of Chicago, IL, Ellen MacPherson of St. Louis, Mo, and Laura, Elissa, and Brian Levy of New Rochelle, NY, and Modestas MacPherson of Seattle. Patricia was married to Thomas H. MacPherson in Seattle until 1974, which preceded her in death in 1995. Her husband, Jack Drummey, survives her, in Seattle. She is also survived by three sisters: Priscilla Knoblauch of St. Paul Minnesota, Pam Dolan, of Bothell, and Penny Kochiya of San Carlos, California. She was gracious, beautiful, and serene, and imparted her spirit to all of us who knew her. She will be profoundly missed. Her life will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday at Lake View Cemetery, 1554 15th Avenue E., Seattle. Memorials suggested to the American Cancer Society.
I knew Patty in the 1970s. Although I hadn’t seen her in a number of years, she has always remained in my memory as a lovely, intelligent and caring person. She will be greatly missed.
Jack and family,
Patricia was always such a special, generous and encouraging friend. I was privileged to spend many hours with her when she lived in Bellevue.She made me an outfit for an important speech when I really couldn’t afford to buy one. I enjoyed hearing about her travels and starting her importing business and meeting Jack. I’m so sorry I didn’t keep in contact when I moved.It was good to see everyone yesterday at the celebration of her life. Jan
Dear Kevin and Tom, and the rest of the family:
I really enjoyed getting to know your mother, she was quite a lady. I enjoyed several mother’s day brunches at the SYC and other affairs, as well as Kevin and Susans wedding reception “where she was a proud Mother” and mother in law, and she was always the life of the party. She loved you all and all will miss her!