Patricia Ann Reynolds, 86

Patricia Ann Reynolds was born an only child to Willard J. and Dolly Murphy on Nov. 2, 1937, in Des Moines Iowa. She graduated from high school in Washington, married young and was a single parent to two small children.

She went on to become a licensed cosmetologist in Portland, Oregon, with the support of her parents. This occupation fit her personality perfectly as she loved being creative, hearing or telling stories and most of all enjoyed helping others to feel good about themselves.

Three years later Patty met Graydon G. Reynolds, “Gray,” (he passed in 2016), who was a door-to-door insurance agent at that time and a young widower with three boys from Montana. The two of them hit it off, got married, bought a home, had another child and from there, life was never boring. There were Sunday dinners with the grandparents and then chaos of children running through the house, but once everyone sat down, table manners came into play.

Family, friends, neighbors and anyone who needed help were always welcomed at their home. They were “the examples” of hospitality. They took their children camping, and woodcutting, and involved them in family canning time, sports, music, theatre and hobbies, eg: one of their sons made surfboards.

Pat and Gray were very hardworking, sometimes taking on additional work, but enjoyed fishing, square dancing, hunting, cooking, woodworking (dad) and painting (mom). They both donated much of their time and talents to the community (dad — firefighter) and those in need (mom fixing hair in assisted living facilities).

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gray and grandson Josh.

She is survived by her six children: Merlin (Tanna), William Max (Cheryl), Debbie (Ivan), Steve, Tom and Terry (Sandy). She is also survived by many wonderful grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. We pray our parents’ legacy of kindness, joy and purpose will continue on.

A memorial gathering will take place Sept. 21, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the home of her daughter, Debbie Petersen, 1646 12th Ave. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912. There will be finger food, light desserts and beverages served.