Patricia L. Egman's Obituary
Patricia Louise Egman passed away peacefully at her home in University Place, Washington on September 15, 2023, with family members at her side. Born to Paul and Genevieve VanBuskirk in Tacoma, Washington on March 5, 1926, “Patty-Lou” was the second eldest of eight brothers and sisters. Pat’s mother died tragically when she was just 9 years old and found herself deeply involved in caring for her younger siblings. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1943, Pat worked various jobs to save money for flying lessons. She spent many hours behind the controls of small aircraft only to run out of money before she could achieve her pilot’s license. She then landed a job with the phone company in Tacoma as a switchboard operator where she met her husband, Lowell. Married in 1949, they embarked on what would become a 55 year marriage until his passing in 2004. Along the way they welcomed four children into the world - Janel, Garry, Larraine & Stewart.
Pat was a devoted mother and wife, accomplished fiber artist, accounting manager for Lowell’s commercial art business, avid gardener, and later, took up golf and playing bridge. Pat learned to sew and knit at an early age and made many of the clothes that she wore to school. She later made clothes for her daughters and taught them to sew and knit as well. She and Lowell made time every spring and summer to plant and grow a vegetable garden. The bounty was always plentiful and provided fresh veggies and strawberries for dinner and canned green beans year-round. As their children grew older and more independent, they spent countless summers playing golf with friends at the Fircrest Golf Club as well as at many other courses up and down the Oregon and California coasts. Pat also dedicated a significant amount of time to the Washington Junior Golf Association. She continued to play golf until she was 92.
There was never a challenge Pat shied away from. In 1993 she bought her first computer. She quickly grasped the various programs available and discovered a new joy of making custom greeting cards. She thoroughly enjoyed this new world of technology and went on to upgrade computers many times. No one really talks about it, but there’s a rumor she eventually became the world’s greatest computer solitaire player. She learned to play bridge and loved to play the game with her friends. She also loved to read, knit, listen to music, and root for the Seahawks while watching games with her son Stewart. Pat was extremely proud of her family, always praising and expressing amazement at the many academic, musical, artistic, and athletic talents of her children and grandchildren. She was self sufficient and independent even through her 80’s & 90’s. She kept busy and always made time for weekly rounds of golf and Bridge games with her friends.
Pat was a remarkable, capable and beautiful woman. To her children she was a rock, a confidant, an inspiration and most notably a best friend. She had a smile that could light up a room, and her glass was always half full. There will never be another like her and she will be forever missed.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband Lowell, and her son Garry (1987). She is survived by her daughters Janel Pehau (Paul) and Larraine Soule (Ed), son Stewart Egman (Kris), grandchildren Justin Pehau (Allyson), Briana Kerns (Mike), Josi Jacobs (Dan), Erika Soule, Jeremy Soule (Megan), Dean Soule (Abby), brothers Roy VanBuskirk (Cathy), Harry VanBuskirk, and sister Sharon Zemla. She is also survived by eleven great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank CHI Franciscan Hospice for the extraordinary service and care provided during a very difficult time.
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