Patsy Ruth Trafford-Hanson

July 21, 1931 – September 7, 2011

Pat passed away peacefully in Bellevue after a long struggle with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. She was the proud and devoted mother of 4 children: daughters Pamela Telford (Steve), and Sandra DeBoer (Jim) and twin sons Mark Trafford (Beth) and Matthew Trafford (Cheryl), Step children Dori Hanson and Tim Hanson (Sonja), grandmother to Patti, Josh, Jason, Amy, JohnPaul, Ava and Step Grandmother to Christopher, Sienna, Molina, Julia, Great-Grandmother to Gino and Olivia.

Pat was born to Elijah and Gertrude Fife in Louisville, Kentucky on July 21, 1931. The last-born of 13 children she had a large and extended family across the country, yet spent the majority of her life in the Pacific Northwest. She was active for many years in local Olympia politics alongside her first husband, Donald, as they raised their young family. During the 60’s, the family moved to Kirkland where they built a home complete with property for horses. They lived for many years in the Bridle Trails area.

Several years after Donald’s death in 1980, she married Gordon Hanson, a long time Kirkland resident. They enjoyed many happy years together traveling extensively, golfing and entertaining family and friends in their beautiful homes in Kirkland and Palm Springs before his untimely death in 2003.

She was loved by so many ~ and enjoyed spending time with her friends and family more than anything. She was a wonderful cook, decorator and simply a master at entertaining and opening her home to all. She was a true southern lady ~ lovely and gracious in every way.

Pat was the beloved matriarch of her family; the best and most loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her faith, humor and the love of her family are the true testaments to the life she lived.

She was so loved.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, her 12 siblings, her first husband and father of her children, Donald R. Trafford, and her second husband, Gordon Hanson. She is survived by her children, stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Services to be held at Sunset Hills Funeral Home in Bellevue Washington on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 1:30 PM. For further information visit www.sunsethillsfuneralhome.com

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Bellevue, WA.