Patsy Ruth Morin's Obituary
Patsy Ruth Morin’s 88 years of living and loving
Patsy Morin, age 88, passed away at her apartment in Meadow Green, Lynden, WA on the morning of November 24, 2015. She was born September 1, 1927 in Topeka, Kansas to Rachel Helen Sheperd Highfill and William Augustus Highfill. She was an only child born to older (in their 40s) parents and raised on a farm. In 1944 she moved to Tacoma with her parents.
Patsy graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma, WA in 1945. Tacoma is where she met Elwin Keith Morin while on a tour of the USS Ticonderoga aircraft carrier at the end of WWII. They dated long distance until Elwin was discharged from the Navy and returned to Tacoma from his home in Gladstone, Michigan.
Patsy and Elwin married in 1947 eventually moving to Mercer Island where Keith was born in 1948, Bill in 1951 and Chuck in 1953. They then bought an acre of land on NE 8th Street in Bellevue where James was born in 1955 and Tim in 1964. Their next big move was to Auburn where they had a home built on the Green River and they lived there for over 30 years.
Despite raising 5 sons (she kept hoping for a girl), Patsy had a long career with Sterling Recreation Organization which spanned nearly 18 years. It was a career that came from her and Elwin’s love for bowling. Together they bowled many seasons in mixed leagues. She also bowled in mother/son tournaments with James.
Patsy dreamed of going to college and finally at the age of 50 returned to school to complete a 2 year Licensed Practical Nurse degree from Green River Community College. She was very proud of this accomplishment and loved the work. When Elwin retired from Boeing in 1988, Patsy also retired from working so they could travel and see the country.
The winter cold bothered Patsy’s arthritis so they became “Snow Birds” and bought a townhouse at Sun City near Tucson, Arizona. For over 20 years, Patsy and Elwin packed up and drove to Tucson for several months each winter. Elwin and Patsy were avid gardeners and rock hounds. Their garden was filled with the beautiful stones they polished and displayed. Each year they attended the Tucson Gem Show and purchased many fossils, meteorites and gems.
Patsy and Elwin visited the Hawaiian Islands together several times over the years. The memories they shared there remained an important part of Patsy’s life. She enjoyed traveling to Hawaii as often as she could. Hawaiian music was one of her favorites, particularly ukulele instrumentals.
When she was 76, she accompanied Madeline and Shelley up the slope of a mountain for a mile at night to see lava up close. She touched it with a stick and was able to see the lava flowing for miles into the sea. Upon returning to the car, she pointed out her tennis shoe soles were melted.
Patsy loved being outdoors and adventure. She and Elwin vacationed with the kids in a 23 foot motor boat for many summers on Puget Sound and in the San Juan Islands. They also traveled all over the country in a 22 foot motorhome.
Creativity was a hallmark of Patsy’s life. She loved painting, calligraphy, glass mosaics, sewing, rock hunting in Arizona, gardening, and most of all jewelry. Over the years as Patsy attended the Tucson Gem Show she returned home with stones and beads to make jewelry for her friends and family. She also used her calligraphy skills hand printing important documents and awards for youth sports teams, the Boy Scouts of America, churches, and the American Heart Association. Her trademark black with gold accent Old English handwriting was flawless.
Reading was also another important aspect of her life. Her homes were filled with paperback books. She particularly loved books about the west, murder mysteries set in Arizona or Seattle, and of course, romance novels. Audiobooks of her favorite authors supported her during the past few months after Elwin passed away. Often she would finish a book in one day.
Patsy was very proud of her 5 sons. Elwin “Keith” Morin Jr. is a retired electrician and now lives in Tucson, AZ. He spent most of his life in Santa Cruz, CA after two Navy tours in Vietnam.
Bill is a retired Alaska Airlines Captain and lives in Blaine, WA with his wife Madeline Tompkins. Bill’s daughter Shelley (Morin) Green has a 5 month old son Calvin William Green.
Chuck worked 29 years at Boeing and presently works for Man Tech International in Silverdale, WA as a Finance Manager and lives with his wife Laura Morin. Chucks daughter is Rebeca Morin. Laura, Chuck has two children, Tawnya and Tiffany, and 6 grandchildren: Pierce, Keaton, Mason, Wilder, Lydia and Tallulah.
James is a Civil Engineer with the University of WA in Seattle and lives in Woodinville, WA. Jim’s children are Carrie, Marcus, Brandon and Kaitlynn.
Tim is a career Navy officer who lives in San Diego, CA with his wife Jami. Tim has two daughters Samantha Morin and Alexa (Morin) Newman. Alexa has an 8 year old daughter, Aubrey.
Elwin and Patsy moved to Meadow Greens independent living facility in Lynden, WA. After 68 years of marriage, Elwin passed away Aug 6th 2015. Patsy was impressed by the loving care Elwin received at Whatcom County Hospice. She requested that instead of flowers, donations be sent to the Hospice House. Please make a check payable to: Whatcom County Hospice and mail the check to: 2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA. 98225 include a note stating: “Hospice House in memory of Patsy Ruth Morin”.
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