Patricia Ann Vanderpool Bergeron

Patricia Ann Vanderpool was born on August 14, 1932 in Portland Oregon. Pat was just 1 of 11 children born to Roy and Laura (LeBraun) Vanderpool in Portland, Oregon. Her other siblings were Lloyd, Virginia, Doris, Robert, Marjorie, Jerry, Bill, Donald and Keith and infant that died shortly after birth. Growing up in SW Portland near St. Claire Parish, Pat enjoyed being a part of a large family.

Once school age, she began attending St. Claire’s and met the love of her life, Ed Bergeron. For Ed, it was love at first sight and he told Pat she was one day going to be his wife and he meant it! An instant friendship grew between the two and they were often caught getting into mischief by Sister Mary Haberth.

During the 8th grade a few of Pat’s girlfriends held a mock wedding for Pat and Ed, even their friends knew true love when they saw it, Ed couldn’t marry Pat then, but he promised her he would eventually. They attended school together until 8th grade when Ed attended Benson High School and Pat went to Commerce Business School, now known as Cleveland. At Commerce she learned many skills such as typing, short hand and bookkeeping.

Ed became a part of Pat’s family and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of a large family; he deeply appreciated the warm kindness received from Roy and Laura, Pat’s parents. They were wonderful people who always made him feel welcome. As youths Ed and Pat enjoyed attending the old Paramount Theatre where they could watch a scary movie for the cost of a nickel, roller skating at Oaks Park and ice skating in NW Portland. But most of all they enjoyed spending time together, and in every sense of the word shared a special connection that was indescribable.

Ed was able to fulfill the promise he made long ago to make Pat his wife and they were wed on March 3rd 1948 in Kelso, Washington. Soon after, the newlyweds moved to Phoenix, Arizona to live with Pat’s eldest sister, Virginia. They stayed in sunny Phoenix for about one year, until they decided to move back to the milder climate of SW Portland and to be closer to their families. They settled in a one bedroom home that cost approximately $25.00 a month in rent. Ed and Pat were no strangers to hard work, in the beginning Ed was a jack of all trades getting work to support his family where he could, until he was hired on with the railroad. They were blessed with two children, Richard and Karen. As a mom, Pat was strict and made sure her kids were well behaved, but she was also a caring mother making sure their needs were met. Once the kids were in high school she went back to work, first for the Forestry Department and later at the VA Medical Center as a medical transcriber. She also worked as a bookkeeper at various companies in Portland.

After retirement, Pat enjoyed time with Ed, her children and grandchildren. She was blessed with 4 grandchildren, John, Emily, Ryan and Derek and four great grandchildren, Katie, Cody, Samantha and Allison. It was very exciting for Pat to be a grandmother as family was always important to her.

She was an amazing baker known for her lemon pie, “Wacky Cake” (a secret chocolate cake recipe), and peanut butter fudge. That fudge put many smiles on people’s faces, and a few extra pounds too, but Pat always put a lot of love in her baking. Pat was also an excellent seamstress, making many of the children’s clothes in the early years. She also enjoyed spending time with Ed, whether it was traveling, watching sports, going to garage sales, where she would buy and renew stuffed animals for underpriveledged children or just simply relaxing at home- he was her life. But Pat also had another love, her dog, Monique, a bichon, who was her faithful companion over the last 17 years. Pat was an animal lover, and over the years had raised poodles they were all very special to her.

The last 20 years of Pat’s life were extremely difficult and showed her true resilience. She was diagnosed with a rare bone disease that made her bones extremely delicate, suffering breaks in her shoulders, arms and hip. She was later diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, which she also survived. Yet throughout her illness she stayed independent and kept fighting for her health, it was the true nature of her spirit, Pat was a survivor throughout it all But at age 81 her body could no longer battle her illnesses and she passed away on August 20, 2013 just a few days after celebrating her birthday surrounded by her loved ones.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Lloyd and Bill; sister, Virginia and an infant sibling who passed away shortly after birth.

She is survived and greatly missed by the love of her life, Edward Bergeron; children, Richard (Joyce), Karen (Stan); grandchildren, John, Emily, Ryan, Derek; great grandchildren, Katie, Cody, Samantha, Allison; siblings, Doris, Robert, Marjorie, Jerry, Donald, Keith; and many nieces and nephews.