Patricia Lee Legler was born on August 28th, 1947, to Glen (Dutch) & Dea Legler in Henderson, Nevada. Pat was the first of five siblings born over four years. As the oldest child, Pat was the leader of the pack and was regularly in charge of the bunch. Being the family social director was a theme that continued throughout Pat’s entire life.
Pat spent most of her childhood in Blackfoot, Idaho. The family moved to Eugene, Oregon in 1964 where she spent her senior year, graduating from South Eugene High School in 1965. Soon after, she married Charlie Darden, and they welcomed their daughter Kim Lee (who passed at the age of 2), followed by sons Shane and Kelly Darden.
Pat moved to Portland, Oregon, in the early ’80s, where she met the love of her life, Tim Simpson, in 1983 and marring in 1989. Pat and Tim built their community in North East Portland, where they had many friends and plenty of good times. Pat and Tim had 39 beautiful years together, and he was by her side until her final breath.
Pat spent her career in inside sales at Precision Interconnect (Tyco,) where she made friends all over the country. Pat’s customers adored her and always looked forward to her calls. She retired after over twenty years of service.
Some of Pat’s favorite things were vacationing in Hawaii, where her sister Devona lived, attending annual events like the August birthday parties at her sister Karel’s home, spending time with her parents, siblings, children, and grandchildren, and spoiling her many kitty’s and hosting get-togethers at home (which she’d regularly invite everyone before remembering to tell Tim he’d be cooking for a crew of guests). Really what it came down to was that Pat loved people. She enjoyed meeting all sorts of people and was always on the lookout for that lone person, meeting them where they were, getting to know them, and bringing them into the folds. Pat had a way of making everyone feel welcomed and important.
Not a fan of new technology, Pat was known for her phone calls. You could always count on a call from Pat, and if she didn’t reach you the first time, she’d be sure to call again until she did. She was fabulous at keeping in touch with everyone and ensuring everyone was up to date on what others were doing. Truly the family social director.
Pat never let a birthday pass by without a call and serenade of Happy Birthday. Pat loved her birthday as well. Her favorite gift was a bouquet of flowers which her sons made sure she got every year.
Pat is survived by her devoted husband, Tim Simpson, and her two sons, Shane Darden of Portland & Kelly (Kim) Darden of Eugene. Her beloved grandchildren, Keanen & Telaney ‘Laney’ and their mother, Stacey Darden of Portland and Shea & Calvin Darden of Eugene, her sisters, Karel (Alan) Bland & Devona Legler (Wes Young), and her brothers, Kaare Legler & Larry (Dori) Legler sister and brother in laws Kathy Simpson (Kraig Battleson) and Bill Simpson as well as her aunts Evelyn & Charlotte and uncle Bobby and numerous other beloved relatives. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kim, and parents Dutch & Dea Legler.
Pat passed away peacefully at home after a long battle with COPD. Pat would have been 75 on her upcoming birthday.
Her family and friends are invited to gather for a celebration of life on her birthday weekend. Saturday the 27th beginning at 3 pm, remembrances begin at 4:30 pm. The Simpson home: 4073 NE 16th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97212
If you’d like to honor Pat, consider giving a loved one a bouquet of flowers and bring someone on the outskirts of a gathering into the group.
Pat was a bright spot in many lives, and she will be missed dearly by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her.
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