Mary Lorain Patrick

Mary Lorain Patrick passed away peacefully on August 14, 2026, surrounded by her children, following complications from Alzheimer’s. She was born at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Yakima on May 13, 1947, to William and Lorain Buckley.

As a child, she loved sewing dresses for her dolls, traveling with her family despite her extreme dislike of long car rides, singing loudly (though she was a terrible singer), and trying new recipes, much to the reluctance of her two younger brothers. Their mother always assured them they would like whatever Mary prepared; they have since admitted they liked most of them. At age eight, Mary joined 4-H, developing skills in cooking, sewing, and leadership. She later wrote that 4-H prepared her for marriage and motherhood and served as a springboard to her career as a Home Economist.

Mary attended St. Paul’s Catholic School and Central Catholic High School, graduating in 1965. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Vocational Home Economics Education from Central Washington State College in 1969 and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Heritage College in 1983.

In 1965, Mary was introduced to Dennis Patrick on a blind date. That date began a love story that spanned nearly six decades. They married on June 15, 1968, at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Mary began her career with the Washington State Cooperative Extension Service in 1970 as a Yakima County Extension Agent. Her role included presenting live “Homemaker Minute” television segments. In one memorable segment, Dennis joined her to demonstrate preparing a Thanksgiving turkey. His unexpected ad-libs left Mary giggling on camera.

Mary and Dennis welcomed twins David and Aaron in 1976, followed by Anne-Marie in 1979. The family soon settled on 67th Avenue in west Yakima, in a house where countless happy memories were made.

In 1978, Mary joined Yakima Valley Community College teaching microwave cooking classes part-time, beginning a long and distinguished career there.

She helped create YVCC’s Early Childhood Education curriculum in 1983 and became coordinator of the Family Life Department, educating and mentoring hundreds of early childhood educators in the Yakima Valley. She was coordinator of the YVCC Parent Cooperative Preschool program and, in 1985, helped develop the YVCC Parent Education Child Care Center, named Jane’s House in honor of her mentor, Jane Huntzicker.

Mary’s most significant career accomplishment came in 1989 with the development of the Collaborative Degree Program with Central Washington University and Heritage College, giving local students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. The program became a model nationwide. She was also a strong advocate for quality child care in Washington State, and worked with United States Congressman Sid Morrison to develop the Washington State Training and Assessment System (STARS Training) for all licensed child care center professionals and home providers.

Her contributions to education were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her career. Mary was active in professional and community organizations and advisory committees and was devoted to her Catholic faith, serving on the Holy Family Religious Education Board for many years and as a lector for more than 25 years.

At home, all three kids, but especially the twins, kept Mary and Dennis busy with plenty of shenanigans and happy memories. Her greatest accomplishment was “the three Patrick kids”.

Mary lived with chronic pain for decades, which ultimately forced her to retire in 2004. In retirement, she enjoyed beading jewelry, participating in a writing group, and her decades-long Saturday tradition of lunch and shopping with her best friend, Marilyn. She had dreamed of traveling with Dennis in retirement, but life had other plans.

Mary began showing signs of dementia in 2016 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2018. The disease gradually took her language and memories in 2021 and eventually her physical independence in 2022. Dennis passed away in 2024 after 56 years of marriage. Although Mary no longer remembered who he was, she seemed to sense that he was the love of her life until the end.

Mary is survived by her children, David (Kristie), Aaron (Tammy and her daughter, Shelby), and Anne-Marie (Andrew); grandson Lincoln Holloway; brothers Joseph (Melissa) Buckley and John (Katie) Buckley; and her nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her loyal best friend, Marilyn Jundt, and her special goddaughter, Megan Hayden. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; her parents, William and Lorain Buckley; and her uncle, Walter Spencer.

The three Patrick kids thank Tina Moss of Senior Journeys for her support to the Patrick/Buckley family when difficult conversations and decisions had to be made about Mom’s care. We are also deeply grateful to Jenna and the staff at Ellen House for the loving care they provided, first to our dad and later to Mom as her Alzheimer’s took her further from us.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Central Lutheran Cooperative Preschool, Easterseals Jane’s House Child Development Center, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Yakima on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. Concluding services and inurnment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, with a funeral luncheon afterward.