Florine 'Patrick' Box 81

Florine "Patrick" Box, 81, passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Patrick was born on Jan. 20, 1925, in Mercer, Pa., to Robert and Gladys McBride. She moved with her parents to New Mexico as a young child and later graduated from Albuquerque High School.

After completing nurses training, she became a very proud member of the U.S. Army Nursing Corps. On April 13, 1945, she married her childhood sweetheart, Ed, and they had 51 wonderful adventuresome years together, before he passed away in 1996.

After some years in the construction business in New Mexico, their lives took a different turn with the entry into the aviation business. During the next 32 years, Patrick and Ed enjoyed this industry which took them to Ohio, Texas, Idaho and Utah. In 1983, they retired to Bigfork, while still maintaining a home in Texas and later in Arizona.

Patrick and Ed were major supporters of many civic projects in Bigfork and the Flathead Valley including the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts, the Bigfork Rod and Gun Club, and the Bigfork Community Trust.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, April 10, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork, with the Rev. Jack Shannon officiating.

Donations in lieu of flowers should be sent the the QRU, 810 Grand Ave., Bigfork, Montana 59911. Bigfork Funeral Home caring for the family.