Patricia Miriam DeBoer

Patricia DeBoer died peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 4th, 2021, at the age of 98. She was born on August 13, 1922 to Charles Kenneth Todd and Ellen Hazel (Frank) Todd of Mobridge, South Dakota. She graduated from Rhame High School at the age of 16, and attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, South Dakota where she completed a teaching certificate. In 1942, during World War II, Patricia moved to Seattle and worked at the Fort Lawton Commissary. Soon after, she met her future husband, Lloyd Roy DeBoer, at the Trianon ballroom and they were married in Seattle on June 1st, 1945. During this time she also underwent registered nurses training at Virginia Mason Hospital, where she graduated in 1946. The couple later built their home together in Olympia where they raised five children.

Patricia spent her adult life actively assisting others. Professionally, she worked nearly three decades as a nurse at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia from 1947 to 1972. During this time, she was also an active leader in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Madison Elementary PTA, the state Nurses Association, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and the Olympia Stitchery Guild. In the 1970’s, she and her family opened their home to three refugee brothers who escaped Vietnam and later she assisted other Southeast Asian refugees to establish themselves in the area. While in her sixties, she enthusiastically completed three years of French language courses at Evergreen State College. She also spent over 20 years of her life advocating for the mentally ill and testified to the state legislature on their behalf. As a cofounder of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Thurston-Mason Counties, she served as president of the Alliance for eight years and as their state treasurer for two. Patricia was also an instrumental force in establishing a daycare center for the elderly, currently known as the STARS program. In addition, she was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Gardening, sewing, reading and world travel were her favorite hobbies.

Patricia was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 71 years, Lloyd DeBoer, in 2016. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Warren Todd of Gillette, Wyoming and her sister, Delores Gaylord of Murrieta, California. She is survived by her three sons, David DeBoer of Olympia, Washington and Neil and Kent DeBoer of Olympia; her two daughters, Karen Freeman of Gig Harbor, Washington and Janice McMaster of Mission Viejo, California; and her foster son Son Van Truong and his family of Lacey, along with 10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She is further survived by her brother, Wayne Todd of Burbank, California, as well as her three sisters, Carol Weeks of Murrieta, California, Janice Ludtka of Wenatchee, Washington, and Lynne Acheson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Following cremation, an announcement will be made for a memorial service at St. John’s Episcopal Church or other location in Olympia. Please watch for updates on the date, time and location for that service. Donations in Patricia’s name can be made to either St. John’s Episcopal Church or The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Thurston-Mason Counties per her request.