Patricia Ann (Smith) Dykstra, age 49, departed this life on Aug. 10, 2023 to embrace a new life in heaven. She endured a tough battle with acute myeloid leukemia. However, she did not lose her battle with cancer. She used every moment she could to bless others and share her heart. In doing so, she left a lasting impression with those she met along the way and did it in the name of Jesus. She managed to muster up the strength to stay with her husband Tad and celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary before going home to be with Jesus.
Patricia, who went by the name Tricia (her dad was the only one allowed to call her Trish) was born in Bellingham on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1974 to James and Carol Smith. She was raised in Lynden and attended Lynden Schools. She received her GED from Bellingham Technical College in 1991 and began an adventurous life with her daughter Alexis. On August 10, 1996, she married the love of her life, Tad Dykstra.
Tricia was a committed wife of Tad, mother of Alexis Torgeson, Tamarah (Alex) Kompelien, and TJ (Kelsey) Dykstra, and grandmother of Tyler Ryan. Tricia enjoyed the role of a homemaker while her children were growing up. She took great pride in her house, yard and being present with her family. They were the most important thing to her and even days before she died, she shared that her children were her proudest accomplishment.
Anything Tricia’s children were involved in, Tricia was involved in. She volunteered in the Meridian schools and at Faith Reformed Church. She was on the board with Meridian Youth Athletics Association, coached girls softball, and helped out with 4-H and FFA.
Once Tricia and Tad’s children left the house and had busy lives of their own, Tricia needed a place to take her everlasting energy and gifts to serve others. She had so many gifts that lended themselves to so many different working environments. To top the list, she was self-directed, organized and friendly. She ended up loving her job at The Markets LLC. She worked at the Everson, Lynden, Birch Bay and Blaine markets. Her tasks included bookkeeping, checking and human resources.
Family and friends were everything to Tricia, and her family and friends of all ages loved her back. She planned a great party, was an amazing host, had the best snacks in her pantry, was a good listener, and loved a quiet moment with a good cup of coffee.
Tricia is survived by and will be missed by her husband Tad Dykstra of Everson; children Alexis Torgeson, Tamarah (Alex) Kompelien, and TJ (Kelsy) Dykstra; grandchild Tyler Ryan; father James (Donna) Smith; siblings Kim (Shawn) Bovenkamp and Matthew (Ricci) Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends.
Tricia is preceded in death by her mother Carol (Gustafson) Smith.
A celebration of life will be held at Nooksack Reformed Church on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 11 a.m.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
