Mary Patricia "Patty" Caferro

Longtime resident of Whitefish, Mary Patricia "Patty" Caferro, passed away at home in her sleep Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005.

Patty was born on Oct. 28, 1925, in Winchester, Idaho, to Duran Grey and Margaret Osborne. During her childhood she lived in Winchester, Lapwai, and Craigmont, Idaho, where she loved to be outdoors, to ride horses, and spend time with her younger sister, Virginia, many cousins and friends.

Patty graduated from Winchester and attended nurses training in Lewiston, Idaho.

On Sept. 22, 1945, she married Cecil Caferro in Spokane, and they then moved to Whitefish. As a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, Patty was involved in Alter Society and Study Club. She shared a special relationship with the Lord.

Patty was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. She was a

member of the Women of the Moose, American Legion Auxiliary, Ladies of the VFW, and Whitefish Golden Agers.

She was a constant loving support to her husband, her six children, and her grandchildren, and has a very special place in all our hearts.

She worked briefly as a nurse's aid at the old Whitefish hospital, served as a deputy treasurer for Flathead County, and on the election board for many years.

Patty's favorite places included Lewiston, Idaho, her family ranch in Winchester, Idaho, Whitefish City Beach, Glacier Park, and her home in Whitefish. She especially enjoyed the beauty of flowers and nature, bright colors, reading, watching her children swim at City Beach, family reunions, picnicking in Glacier Park, and visiting with family and friends.

Her parents, Grey and Margaret Osborne, "are waiting for Patty in heaven."

Patty is survived by her husband, Cecil; her sister, Virginia Lambert, of Spokane; her six children, Sharon Hale of Astoria, Ore., Theresa Senese of Winfield, Ill., Debbie McConnell of Whitefish, Mary Caferro of Helena, Frank Caferro of Salt Lake City, and Duran Caferro of Helena; her grandchildren, Spencer McMahan, Jesse and Keysa Hale, Margaret, Hallie, Joseph and Kenji Swain, Duran Caferro Jr., and Karl and Shawna McConnell; and great-grandchildren, Alyx and Conner McMahan.

A rosary service will be conducted for Patty at Austin's Funeral Home at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24. The funeral service for Patty will take place at St. Charles Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 25.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901; or Ronald McDonald House, 1015 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA 99204-3001.

Her family will greatly miss her tender loving care and her spunky attitude.