Patsy Wilma Swartz

Patsy was born on the Fourth of July 1946 at the Fort Belknap Hospital in Harlem, Montana, and spent most of her childhood living on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation where her father Bob worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.When Patsy was a teenager her family briefly moved to the Flathead Reservation before landing in Spokane Washington, where she finished high school at Shadle Park High. While in Spokane she met the love of her life, Jim Swartz, who she would go on to marry in 1968, and spend her life with until Jim’s passing in 2008. Post-high school, Patsy attended Central Washington University, graduated and earned her Bachelors degree from Washington State University, and soon after moved to Seattle with her husband, where they began their careers and started their new family.

Patsy worked as a speech pathologist and kindergarten teacher for nearly her entire career, both with Wonderland Developmental Center and Seattle School District. Her dedication to the children she worked with was one of her greatest achievements, and the quality of care and education she gave to each and every child who passed through her classrooms is a part of her lasting legacy. Her late nights working on lesson plans, all the supplies she purchased, all the inclusive activities she mapped out, all while simultaneously earning a Masters Degree will always show just how much her students meant to her.

After retiring from teaching, Patsy went on to join a multitude of book clubs, exercise groups, social groups, and became a part of countless other circles that kept her busy traveling, learning, supporting causes, meeting new people, and keeping connected to old friends. Her positive energy was an inspiration to everyone she met, and her generous nature was always front and center, selflessly helping anyone who needed it and making sure all were taken care of. She will be greatly missed, but her eternal kindness will certainly live on and continue to inspire. She is survived by her son, brother, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends.