Patricia Colleen Curran Shilling, 81
Patricia Colleen Curran Shilling, 81, formerly of Kalispell, passed away Aug. 3, 2012, in San Francisco.
She was born Aug. 28, 1930, the second child born in Spokane to James Wesley Curran and Mary Marguerita “Marge” Chasse. Pat attended St. Matthew's School, moving to Bremerton, then Lodi, Calif., with her family.
She married her high school sweetheart, Donald L. Shilling, and was the devoted, beloved mother of three, grandmother of one, and foster mother of two.
A blue ribbon bread baker, she also raised prize-winning begonias and champion golden retrievers.
Throughout her life, Pat was actively involved in organizations focusing on children, and was known in her retirement years as "Grandma Pat" by all and sundry.
Pat enjoyed music and dancing, was an avid reader and a happy camper and outdoorswoman. Her passion for genealogy took her across the U.S., and Canada, and later to Ireland with her cousins, Shy McClarty, Barbara Roche, Lois Byers and Kyrol Jystad. Pat adored exploring and travel, and could be ready to go anywhere at a moment’s notice, as long as she had her morning coffee.
She had many dear friends and Pat leaves them with fond memories of adventures, gatherings and time spent together. Positive and enthusiastic, Pat always noticed and remarked on the beauty around her. She cherished time with friends and family.
Pat passed away in San Francisco from a sudden illness with family at her side. She created a legacy of love, kindness and encouragement, and would remind us today, “Everything will be all right.”
She leaves her beloved husband of 61 years, Donald L. Shilling; children, Marguerite A. Shilling of Citrus Heights, Calif., Mary D. Bippus of Stockton, Calif., and Donald D. Shilling of Lodi; and grandson, Matthew W. Bippus, of Colorado Springs, Colo. She is also survived by her siblings, James W. Curran of Mercer Island, Wash., and Cherie Flower Strain of Roseville, Calif.
She was the granddaughter of early St. Ignatius settlers and Cutbank Hotel founders Romain Chasse and Ida Racine of Maine, and Minot, N.D., construction foreman Thomas Curran and Rosa Belle Cartier of Minnesota. She leaves extended family and very dear friends.
Graveside services will held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, with Father Stan Rog of Risen Christ Catholic Church officiating. At her request, she will be inurned at Lodi Memorial Cemetery, and Conrad Memorial Cemetery, Kalispell, with her mother.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the charity of your choice, or consider taking a loved one on a special outing in honor of our beloved Pat.