Patricia Alene McDonald passed away on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 at her home in Lynden. She was born in Bellingham on Dec. 15, 1923 to J. Ivan McDonald and Iva (Gilfilen) McDonald.
She was preceded in death by her mother in 1962 and father in 1971; grandparents R. Edgar Gilfilen in 1943, Alpha (Leadmon) Gilfilen of Silver Beach-Bellingham in 1953, James McDonald in 1922 and Nellie (Patterson) McDonald of Clipper in 1953; sister Jacqueline Sue Burt in 2007; brother James Patterson McDonald in 2012; and nephew Danny Maultsby in 1999.
At age 17, Patricia entered college at Seattle University, later graduating from the University of Washington. She began her career in the field of medical records, working in various hospitals and health facilities throughout western California. She retired from the UCLA Medical Center as a medical records administrator in 1994, retiring to Whatcom County at her home in Lynden.
Patricia was a great-granddaughter of: James Patterson, a first settler in Lynden and founder of Whatcom County’s dairy industry, along with Elizabeth, daughter of Chief PatKanim of the Snoqualmie, one of the most powerful native leaders in western Washington in the 1850s. Patricia, a very independent and strong woman, never married or had children. However, she had many friends and acquaintances throughout her career in California and her retirement in Lynden.
She is survived by: nieces Kathleen Maultsby of Tucson, Arizona, and Mary Hess (Steve) of Maple Valley, Washington; grandniece and grandnephews Robert, Tim, and R.J. Maultsby, all of Arizona, and Alex Hess of Seattle, Melissa Hess of Renton and Robin Hess of Maple Valley; sister-in-law Peggy McDonald of Bellingham; and cousin Ralph (Bea) Gilfilen of Bellingham.
At her request there will be no funeral. A gathering of friends and family will be held at a date to be announced later. Cremation arrangements were by Sigs Funeral Services, with inurnment at the family plot at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham.
Pat’s favorite charities were the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association.
You may view photos of Pat’s life and share memories with the family at SigsFuneralServices.com.
