Patricia Louise Verhey

Our Beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at the age of 76 in Yakima.

Patty was born on February 12, 1936 to Lawrence and Olaven Harris in Yakima, Washington. She attended St. Paul’s Grade School, St. Joseph Academy and graduated from Seattle University with a B.A. in Education. She taught in Yakima.

On June 20, 1959 she married Tom Verhey and together they raised four daughters in Moxee, WA as principle members of Harris Farms, Inc. Patty was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Moxee. She was also a member of the Ladies of St. Anne and served as a teacher and Director of the Religious Education Program at Holy Rosary Parish for over 35 years. Patty was so proud of the generations of children she prepared to receive the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Reconciliation.

Patty is survived by her daughters, Betsy (Jim) Leggett of Tacoma, WA, Lucy (Kevin) Smith of Federal Way, WA and Katie Verhey of Lynnwood, WA; son-in-law, Dan Byrne of Everett, WA; and her eight grandchildren, Spencer, Tommy, Riley, Jared, Gabriela, Mackenzie, Sam, and Jimmy. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Jackie Verhey of Moxee, Bob (Barbara) Harris and Donald Harris both of Yakima and Sandy (Andy) Forras of Camano Island.

Also surviving Patty are her brother -in-law, Joe (Darlene) Verhey, sister-in-law, Sheila Verhey, brother-in-law, Al Melton; her uncle Milton Tanasse, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Tom, her daughter, Judy Byrne; her infant son John; her sister, Ann Melton; her brothers-in-law, Bob Verhey and Dan Verhey; her sister-in-law, Carol and her parents.

Special thanks to the staff of Good Samaritan Health Care Facility, Memorial Hospital and ResCare, in particular Rosie and Roberta for their loving care of our mother.

Visitation and viewing will be held at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel on Thursday, September 20 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday, September 21 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. A Vigil service will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Friday, September 21, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. A committal service will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial Remembrances may be made to Holy Rosary Religious Education Program, Ladies of St. Anne of Holy Rosary or Union Gospel Mission in care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home. To celebrate the life of Patty visit www.keithandkeith.com.