Patricia Rae Kirkpatrick Wood left this earth on the evening of April 27, 2025 to sit on the handle of the Big Dipper and watch over her family and friends she loved so dearly.

Patty, as she was lovingly called, was born in Spokane, WA on April 30, 1941 to George E. Kirkpatrick and Elna C. Gray. She grew up in Spokane, WA, Portland, OR and then later in Reno, NV where she graduated from Reno High School.

Patty had a 40+ year career as a skilled medical front office worker. Aside from learning as much as she could in the various medical offices she worked in, she was always curious and never stopped learning about our world, our planet and the universe. Whether it was history, space or nature, Patty was always fascinated with learning where we came from and where we possibly were going. She loved looking at the moon and the stars at night.

Patty’s top three greatest joys in life were her family and friends, her dogs and cats, and Neil Diamond. She loved family get-togethers and campouts with the Neil Diamond-themed night being a top favorite. She enjoyed going to concerts and Broadway shows, watching movies, eating out, traveling with friends or family, the spontaneous ice cream parties with her grandson, and being part of the big and little events in her children and grandchildren’s lives. She is famous for her homemade blackberry cobblers and jelly made from the blackberries that she handpicked on her famous blackberry picking trips she did with her family and friends. Patty was very proud of her Scottish and Irish heritage and credited the strength and grit of the Kirkpatrick Clan for getting her through tough times. She was the rock of our family, always there for you with a laugh or a touch of wisdom to guide you or make you feel loved and cared for.

Patty is preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Nancy Carstensen, Carole McCurdy and Janene Kirkpatrick. She is survived by her three children, Korin Walker (Pat), Ken Martin (Vikkey) and Keri Freshman (Dan), sisters Teri Collins, Laurel Sharp, Shelly Kirkpatrick, Lynn DiFiore and Gayle Kirkpatrick, grandchildren Kristin, Amanda, Brandon, Taylor, Dakota and Raechel, great-grandchildren Kolton, Jakob, Ciana, Iyla, and Avianna, and great-great-grandson Bryton, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In accordance with her wishes, Patty’s cremains will be interred in the Gray family plot at the Chewelah Pioneer Cemetery in Chewelah, WA. A Celebration of Life will be held at Bower’s Mansion Comstock Pavilion on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at noon.