Patricia Lynn Weber

Our sweet angel (sister, auntie, friend, teacher, cousin) Patricia, waved the world good-bye Friday, August 12th in Salt Lake City, Utah, eager to join her Mom, who passed away just 10 weeks earlier. They were inseparable for 55 years, living life to the fullest.

Tricia was born in Mesa, Arizona to Wayne & Marilyn Weber and two big brothers, Blaine & Mark. The delivery doctor told her parents her Downs Syndrome would mean she would never walk or talk, and it would be best to institutionalize her immediately. Those heartless words changed the life of the Webers forever (and they fired him).

When Wayne moved the family with baby Tricia from Tempe, Arizona, and his Luke AFB career in 1967, to a new life adventure in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Hickam AFB the beautiful spirit and challenge for Trish to grow into life fully began.

When Hawaii’s laws mandated that Trish be “mainstreamed” into public school, Marilyn & Wayne jumped into action. With no experience, but big dreams, they founded Katrice Montessori School in 1972 (which today is Montessori Community School) to give Tricia a loving and accepting teaching environment. In Montessori, Tricia blossomed, growing friendships: and she began teaching kids, parents, teachers, and families what a beautiful spirit of love, aloha, and kindness she radiated for all the world to see. She had a deep, abiding faith in and love for Jesus Christ. She began her early hula dancing, which continued on for decades in hula dancing groups.

When Wayne retired in 1980, the whole family reunited together in Seattle. Tricia attended C. O. Sorenson, became a standout gold medalist in swimming and track in Special Olympics, and graduated from Woodinville High School in 1984.

Tricia refused to let her “special needs” ever stop her from having an impact in life. She became a teacher’s aide at King’s Early Childhood Education Center for 7 years, where she helped teach kids to read, and was beloved by the preschoolers and families for her kindness, patience, laughter, and love.

She learned sign language - and wove it into her beautiful hula dancing. Her talent was embraced by former Miss Washington, Shari Rusch; who overcame her own special needs and began performing in “The Follies” (with Marilyn soloing too) to promote special needs awareness. Tricia performed at Ronald Reagan’s inauguration alongside Johnny & June Cash, at Disneyworld, and Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre.

Tricia truly loved playing, babysitting, and entertaining her nieces Christie, Mackenzie & Allison, and nephews Justen and Jeffrey.

Marilyn & Tricia spent nine years in St George, Utah around family and her LDS church friends, until returning to Seattle in 2014 to be near her family again. At the Ballard Landmark, the ladies thrived with many new friends, enjoying a vibrant life full of music, gardening, walks, theater, and family visits.

Patricia is survived by her brothers, Blaine (Julie) and Mark (Karen), her nieces & nephews: Christie, Justen (Ahna), Mackenzie (Nick Cruz), Allie, and Jeffrey, and her seven grand-nieces & grand-nephews (Boston, Bella Rae, Justen Jr, Wayne, Rogan, Aiyana, and Flora), her uncle Richard Walker (Kathy), and many beloved cousins. Our deep gratitude to cousins Michele (Greg) Schmidt and Ali (Lee) Allen for their loving nursing care, and the caregivers at the Abbington - Murray.

In lieu of flowers, please join us in a “living” contribution to the new “Patricia Weber Family Fund” at Montessori Community School, 1239 Nehoa Street, Honolulu, HI 96822 c/o James Kia 808-522-0245. https://www.montessorihawaii.org/givingopportunities This special fund will offer precious support to children with unique learning needs across Oahu to honor “the little girl who could” – Patricia: Marilyn insisted it was named after Trish.

A small ceremony will be held on Tricia’s 56th birthday, Sat., August 27th, at the Wasatch Lawn Cemetery in Salt Lake City. A Celebration of Life for Tricia and Marilyn will be held in Seattle at a future date. Thank you for your prayers, love, and comfort during this difficult transition for our family.

We are comforted by your prayers and the vision of their joyful reunion in Heaven, with belly laughs, hugs, hula dancing, and pure Love.