Ethel Lucille "Pat" Black

March 22, 1920 – December 22, 2015

Ethel Lucille “Pat” Black went peacefully home for Christmas. For 95 years she lived life fully in thanksgiving to God’s many blessings and in anticipation of eternal life to come.

Ethel was the fifth of eight children born to Montana homesteaders William and Ethel Throm. Her nickname “Pat”, given to her by her father, so fit her spunky spirit that it lasted a lifetime. Pat chose beauty school following graduation from Great Falls High School. Her first career opportunity took her to Havre, MT, where a young John Black used a long theater waiting line as his opportunity to meet the pretty brunette, his “Patti”. They were married in 1942 before John’s Army service began.

John’s work as a telegrapher for the Great Northern Railroad moved them to Bonners Ferry, Idaho in 1948. For the next 52 years they built their home and relationships while enjoying the natural beauty of the community they helped strengthen. Pat’s sensitivity to others combined with her creative energy placed her in leadership roles at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, and in all organizations she joined. Many programs and services implemented remain in place today. Pat worked at Taft’s Variety, Bonners Ferry High School, the Herald and Bank of Idaho. Fun was included in her busy schedule and the Blacks’ home was often the warm greeting, meeting and eating place. Retirement brought golf, cross country skiing and Hemet, California sunshine.

Always at the top of her love list were her children, Tom and Helen, and their friends. Just as she encouraged others, so they encouraged her. When health required a move to Spokane, WA 15 years ago, the adjustment was met with Pat style determination to develop new friendships at Broadway Court, Colonial Court, and with the many medical staff and health care workers she met along the way.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband John, her loving parents and siblings Ken, Bill, Sam, Helen and Mary. She is survived by her brother Dick Throm and sister Marjorie (John) Donoghue, brothers-in-law Richard Birkenbuel and Cy Slaby, and sister-in-law Jean Throm. Forever thankful for her example are her children Tom (Ann) Black and granddaughter Sara of Vancouver, WA, and Helen (Denny) Voss of Camano Island, WA and granddaughters Heidi (Zach) Anderson and Heather (Justin) Herr. Missing “GiGi” are great grandchildren Jayce, Jaxon, Anika and Tae. Pat was a treasure to her many devoted nieces and nephews, and her favorite “Bonners Ferry kids.”

In this season Pat would desire loved ones to rejoice in each other and in the hope and promise of the Risen Christ. Pat lived the motto “Accept love. Give love. Repeat.” In her honor, please pass it on.

A celebration of Pat's life will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, May 6, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 304 South Adams Road, Spokane Valley, Washington.