Obituary of Patricia Ann Boe

Patricia Ann Martin was born December 7, 1930, the third of seven children to Fred and Elma Martin of Tenino, Washington.  Patsy, as she was known throughout her childhood, attended Tenino schools, graduating in June of 1949.  In high school, she met and fell for the “new guy,” Jerry Boe, and married him on September 9, 1949.  They were married for 55 years until his death in 2005.

As a young woman, Pat was active in school and scholastic activities; she was a cheerleader, class officer, honor student, and member of the various social clubs available to girls at that time.  When school let out, she spent her time with friends, riding horses, helping with the various family businesses and working part time for the Tenino Independent.  Her family believed in hard work; one of her father’s maxims was, “When you wake up, get up, and when you get up, do something.”  She lived that philosophy all of her life.

In 1950, Pat’s first child, a daughter, was born.  Over the next ten years, she had three more children, all sons, the oldest of whom, Dennis, was born with cerebral palsy. From his birth until his death in 1967, Pat cared for him at home. She rejected the idea of institutionalizing her child and was determined to make his life as happy and normal as possible.  During those years, she operated a home day care business with many of her former charges staying in contact throughout her life.

In 1968, Pat went to work for the U.S. Postal Service, first as a substitute mail carrier, then as a rural route carrier.  She was dedicated to her work and fully embraced the Post Office motto, “The mail must go through.”  Stories of her misadventures in the snow, mud and rain in the wilds of Nisqually abound, but she never gave up.  When she retired in 1993, she finally had the luxury of time to spend with her five grandchildren, all of whom grew up enjoying the bonfires, the creek and river and the ever-present, ever-increasing number of animals she tended.

In her final months, Pat’s family surrounded and cared for her and was her greatest pleasure and comfort.  She passed away June 24, 2019.  She is survived by her daughter, Robyn Sederberg; sons, Kelly (Susan) Boe and Matt (Kristen) Boe; grandchildren, Marty (Lyle) Sederberg, Seth (Crissy) Dowell, Robbie (Kristina) Hoskins, Jackson (Taylor) Boe, and Isabel Boe; great granddaughter, Lily Hoskins; her brother, Fred Martin; and sisters, Jean Pettit and Mary Webster. 

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, 11:00 a.m. at the Tenino Forest Grove Cemetery, 18011 Northcraft Road SE, Tenino, WA 98589. A reception will follow at the Tenino Quarry House, 149 Hodgden St. S, Tenino, WA 98589.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Pat’s name to any animal welfare organization.