Obituary of Patricia Joyce Vandal

Visitation will begin at 5:30 pm Thursday, February 3rd with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. Both will take place at the Church. Patricia Joyce Vandal (Carney) passed away peacefully at the age of 72 on January 27, 2011 in Tacoma, WA after a 5 ½ yr battle with ovarian cancer and recent respiratory complications. She was born June 10, 1938 in Long Beach, CA to parents CPT Robert B. Carney USMC and Herlinda (Taylor) Carney. Pat was a Marine Corps brat and traveled extensively during her growing years where she spent 2 years in Sasebo, Japan, a place she came to love and didn’t want to leave. She chose a career in nursing and graduated from Vallejo Junior College School of Vocational Nursing in Vallejo CA in 1961. Pat worked as an LPN at St Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach, CA for many years. Pat took a break from nursing and spent 2 ½ years as a religious nun in the Carmelite Order in La Mesa, CA. When she left the convent to return home she made a quick stop for a Coke and a pack of cigarettes. Pat met her husband Roger on her birthday in 1971 and they were married 8 months later on his birthday on February 4, 1972. They had a son born in April of 1973. Pat settled in the Tacoma, WA area in October of 1980 with her husband and son after a military transfer from Ft Bragg, NC to Ft Lewis, WA. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, an aunt Carmen Welsh, a cousin David Welsh, and numerous other relatives. She is survived by her loving husband Roger L. Vandal of Graham, WA; her son Jean-Rene' R. Vandal of Graham, WA; a daughter Peggy McCabe of Fullerton, CA; and a brother Robert J. Carney of Ventura, CA. Pat will be greatly missed and forever loved by those near to her. Her goodness of heart was felt by all who met her. She was kind, loving and always putting others ahead of herself. To her husband she was a true helpmate, a best friend and a constant pillar of support. Pat will be remembered at a Rosary at St Rita of Cascia Catholic Church, 1401 S. Ainsworth St, Tacoma on Thursday February 3, 2011 at 7:00 PM and a funeral Mass on Friday, February 4, 2011 at 10:30 AM. A reception will follow the Mass at the family home.