Patricia Jeane Ball

Patricia Jean Ball passed away January 20, 2012 at the age of 80. She was born on December 21, 1931 in Hayward, CA to George and Henrietta (Henny) Orth where she grew up and went through high school. While attending college at Pacific University (near Portland, OR), Mom met her future husband, Jack. They fell in love and were married on June 21, 1952 in Yakima. As their love grew so did the family.

Pat and Jack enjoyed many activities during their life together, including snow skiing and church groups in their younger years, and later boating, tennis, travel, and time at Lake Chelan. Their love of tennis (passed on to each of their children) included a more than 25-year relationship with the members the South Cowichan Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club on Vancouver Island.

Mom had a passion for many causes and gave generously to them, including Yakima Valley Museum, Women's Century Club, YWCA, Unitarian-Universalist Church, League of Women Voters, Capitol Theater, Seattle Opera, Yakima Symphony Orchestra, the Arboretum, Second Harvest and KYVE to name a few. She also participated in Elder Hostel until her early 70's.

Pat was always in love with learning and she continued taking college classes into her late 60s. Her enthusiasm for reading led her to be a member of a Reader's group for many years.

Mom and Dad enjoyed traveling to many countries of the world together and after Dad's passing she continued to travel with her friends.

Known as the Hostess with the most-est, Mom was chef and entertainer extraordinaire. She set a table that was to say... eat your heart out Martha Stewart. Her love of dinner parties set in motion the remodeling of her kitchen which enabled her to host many charity dinners for the causes she believed in. Mom always loved a party, whether giving one or attending one.

In our pictures and memories she is always smiling broadly, whether at the beach place in Kingston, at Lake Chelan, at the Tennis Club, during the yearly Easter gatherings with the gang, going to the Nutcracker together, hosting and attending parties, or surrounded by family during the holidays.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Pat's honor may be made to the donor's choice or to one of Pat's.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday April 28th at the Yakima Valley Museum at 1:00. Per mom's request we are serving champagne, strawberries and hors d' oeuvres.

To share a memory of Patricia visit www.keithandkeith.com.