Patricia Linn Jarvi, 72

It is with great shock and sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Linn Jarvi on July 3, 2015. Pat lived most of her life in Whitefish.

She was born to Lucile and Chuck Linn at the Swedish Hospital in Seattle on June 26, 1943. Pat moved to Whitefish with her parents before she was 3. Her younger sister Zoe and brother John joined the family in Whitefish. Pat attended Whitefish Central School and graduated from Whitefish High School in 1961.

She attended the University of Montana where she received her bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in library science and master’s degrees in education. Pat began her teaching career in Bonanza, Oregon, saddled with an old, clunky car and no driver’s license. After learning to drive, she moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon, for a teaching position, and then on to Omak, Washington.

In the summer of 1969, she returned to Whitefish to attend her mother’s wedding to Augie Gordon, where she met the love of her life, Terry Jarvi. She returned home and they married on June 12, 1970. With Terry came sons Kenneth Jarvi, William Jarvi, and daughter Elaine (Jarvi) Poser. She had three wonderful years with Terry, but sadly, he passed away in May 1973.

During her career in Whitefish, she worked at the Whitefish City Library for several years, and then served as the librarian at both the Central School and high school, but spent the majority of her librarian career in the Muldown Elementary School. Working with the children at Muldown was the joy of her life and she instilled a love of reading in many young hearts. Pat loved the kids and reading to them — she knew most of their names and had a gift for tailoring book suggestions to each child. She dedicated her life to educating the children of Whitefish and she was very successful at it. Pat retired in 1997 — but never stopped working with the students. She remained actively involved as a volunteer at Muldown — her, favorite place.

Pat was lucky enough to find a second very special person in her life, LeRoy “Roy” Brown. They were longtime companions and shared many happy years with their children, grandchildren and friends.

Pat had served on the Whitefish School board since 2000; serving as board chairman from 2009 to 2015, and guided Whitefish through the remodel of the Central School and the construction of the new high school. During the open house late last summer she provided a self-guided tour to her family and then welcomed the public to join in the celebration. Pat loved her community, the schools and the kids, and gave her heart and soul to each.

Pat was involved in many activities and organizations — so many her family can’t remember them all; but here are a few: member of Hinderman Scholarship Committee, WCEA/WEA Negotiations committees, ad hoc committees for the betterment of the District; classroom volunteer at the Middle School and Muldown Schools; received the Marvin Heinz Award for participation in Montana School Boards Association, life member of the National Education Association and Montana Education Association, and member of Phi Delta Kappa/Delta Kappa Gamma. Outside of school she was active with the Soroptimists, Stumptown Historical Society, Whitefish City Library, Democratic party supporter and a community philanthropist

Pat is survived by her sister, Zoe Gustafson, of Kalispell; niece, Lori Gustafson, of Sacramento, California; nephew, Eric Gustafson, of Kalispell; daughter, Elaine (Jarvi) Poser, and Ray, of Stevensville; grandsons, Eric Poser of Billings, and Trevor Poser of Bozeman; and son, Kenneth Jarvi, and Terri, of Lone Tree, Colorado, and children Lisa, Laura and Travis. She was a loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt and grandmother.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, at the Whitefish High School cafeteria.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Whitefish Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1417, Whitefish, MT 59937.