Patricia Ellen Stagg Tunks

Our beautiful mother, Patricia Ellen Stagg Tunks, 72, died peacefully at home following her long struggle with cancer on October 19, 2012. She is survived by the love of her life, Roger Bird Tunks; her four children Jeffrey Van (Maren) Tunks of Wilsonville, OR; Tracey Elizabeth (Daniel) Hogan of Mission Viejo, CA; Leslie Ellen (Matt) Owen of LaCanada, CA; and Kristin Zoe (Paul) Barrus of Lehi, UT; fifteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and her brother, Richard K (Suzanne) Stagg.

Patricia was born to Reginald Alfred and Zoe Elizabeth Barraclough Stagg on July 25, 1940 in Ashland, Oregon. She spent her childhood in Oregon and California camping and fishing with her family until she met and fell in love with Roger at a seminary party in Portland. They were sealed for eternity in the Los Angeles, California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 20, 1958, and returned to school at Brigham Young University to build their enduring life together.

After graduation, the young couple raised their four children in the Portland area. Patricia was happy to see each of her children sealed to their spouses in temples across the West, and cared greatly about the details of her children’s and her grandchildren’s lives. Her lifelong service in her church brought her much joy and friendships that will extend beyond this lifetime. In her later years, she was able to express her artistic talent more fully. She traveled to four continents and put her toes in many of the oceans and seas of the world, a great love to her, painting all along the way. She belonged to several prestigious artists groups, including Watercolor Society of Oregon.

Her strengths lay in all things creative, particularly painting, studying the scriptures, researching history and genealogy, and cherishing her family relationships. Patricia and Roger happily celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family in Los Angeles in 2008. She used her extra years with cancer to bear her strong testimony of faith and perseverance to everyone she talked with, always expressing her gratitude for an abundant life lived, given to her by her Heavenly Father. Hers was truly a life of virtue, far beyond rubies.

Patricia’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Meetinghouse, 14903 SW Westlake Drive, Lake Oswego, Oregon. Graveside services will be held in Paris, Idaho on Monday, October 29 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Roger asks you to consider a donation in the name of Patricia Tunks to either Lake Area Artist or Painters Showcase in care of Barbara Vance, 18673 Westview Drive, Lake Oswego, OR 97034 or the Perpetual Education Fund.