Frances Amis

Frances "Pat" Amis 1920 - 2011 At the age of 90 and surrounded by her family, Frances "Pat" Amis transitioned to her next adventure on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Born October 24, 1920 in Philadelphia to Rebecca Virginia (Lowe) and Edward Albert Ensell, Pat was affectionately known as "Tootsie" by her family and their friends. She was a member of the "Greatest Generation" and a Veteran of the World War II Army Nurse Corps. Orphaned at the age of nine, Pat was raised by her three Aunts, Betty, Ethel and Pat. Her Aunt Pat supported her nursing education at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia where she earned her RN. Shortly after graduation, she enlisted in the US Army Nurse Corp and sailed on the Queen Mary to England for further training. After landing on the beach at Normandy, she spent most of the war working in a field hospital in Belgium where she formed life-long friendships and collected experiences for the stories still told within her family. In Belgium she met Bill Amis, an Army civil engineer, who eventually won her heart. Bill and Pat were the first American service members to wed in Paris when the war was over. After her honorable discharge in early 1945, Pat returned to live with Bill's parents in Omaha until he came home a few months later. Becky, their first child, arrived that fall, followed by siblings, Phil and Amy. For many years Pat and Bill lived in Omaha, then Salt Lake City, and in 1973 they settled in Boise. When they divorced several years later, Pat moved to Olympia, WA to update her nursing credentials. She worked as a nurse in California and Nevada and eventually returned to Boise. In 1995, at age 75, she retired from her final nursing position in Rehab at St. Alphonsus Hospital. Pat had many passions throughout her long life including cooking, canning and gardening. She grew beautiful zinnias, roses and a wide variety of vegetables. She loved learning and considered herself a perpetual student. Pat earned her BA and MA degrees after her children were grown. After years of dedicated study, she became a knowledgeable astrologer and often treated family and friends to personal horoscopes. Pat was an avid reader and volunteered for several years in the bookstore at St. Michael's Cathedral. She was a spiritual woman and participated in church life wherever she lived, including assisting Chaplain Koji Hayashi at St. Luke's Hospital. She loved to dance and enjoyed many types of music from the classics to Frank Sinatra to New Age and show tunes. She especially treasured the Boise Philharmonic concerts she attended with her dear friend Marion Fieseler. Pat is survived by her two daughters, Becky Olson and Amy Blickenstaff, son-in-laws, Jerry Olson and Rick Blickenstaff, four grandchildren -- Matt (Molly) and Seth Olson, and Nick and Brynn Blickenstaff; and two great grandchildren -- Charlie and Addie Olson. She was preceded in death by her son, Philip Amis, and former husband, Bill Amis. Our family would like to thank the exceptional staff at Spring Creek Manor in Eagle for eight years of devoted care and the staff at Life Care Valley View in Boise for the attentive care and enriching activities Pat enjoyed over the last seven months. The friendships she made at both facilities were a source of joy for Pat and her family. We give special thanks to Dr. Michael McMartin for his always timely assistance and support for his "Dear Pat." To honor Pat's nursing career, her family has established an endowed scholarship for a Boise State nursing student. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boise State University Foundation, https://giving.universityadvancement.org/. Please designate contributions to the "'Pat Amis Nursing Scholarship." A funeral service to celebrate Pat's life will be held at 1 PM Saturday, June 4, at St. Michaels Cathedral in Boise, followed by a private burial at Dry Creek Cemetary.