Mary Pat Fritts

Mary Patricia Fritts was born on September 11, 1946. Margret and Mickey Cochrane adopted Mary Pat in Spokane, Washington and then moved the family to Portland, Oregon for a short time before settling in the Tri-Cities in eastern Washington. In her youth Mary Pat made lifelong friends with Vicki Faurholt and Pat Olsen. In 1969, Mary Pat was living in Spokane with her husband, her first son Mike, and expecting her second son Blaine. That year at the IBM Christmas party she met Marge Hart. Both pregnant, they bonded instantly and what started out as a friendship transformed into sisterly love over time. Mary Pat's third son, Mark, was born three years later.

In 1986, Mary Pat and Marge, both recently divorced, resolved to build a better life for their children and themselves by merging their two families, resources, and talents to build their dream home overlooking the port of Everett. Not long after the gears were set in motion, Kirk Rudeen, Marge's nephew, joined in, and the three of them got to work. Over time Mary Pat's and Kirk's friendship blossomed into love and the two were married on December 15, 2001.

Mary Pat had natural artistic talent expressed in many ways, throwing pottery, silk-screening, original needlepoint, and painting. While not formally trained, she was a skilled interior decorator working on a bank, a professional office, and many homes. Those that knew her best, marveled at Mary Pat's ability to always find the most expensive "must have" for whatever it was she was working on. She was strong willed and independent. She had a great sense of humor, loved games, cooking with Marge, and puzzling. She was a fierce provider for her family when they needed her the most. She earned the moniker of Matriarch and was greatly loved by the family.

In her final years she was battling constant pain and physical disabilities. Despite all of that, she persevered. She passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on March 4th, 2026.

Mary Pat is survived by her loving husband Kirk; her sons and their wives: Mike and Sasha, Blaine and Stacy, and Mark and Darlene; her grandchildren: Alex, Justin, Jacob; her sister from another mother, Marge and Marge's children and their spouses: Kevin, Matt, and Kristin and Mike; and Marge's grandchildren: Brandon, Dustin, Paul, Sean, and Megan; along with numerous others in her loving extended family.

Mary Pat will be missed by everyone, especially her family. She will be in our hearts always and forever. May she rest in eternal peace.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks that you donate in her name to Everet Gospel Mission or Northwest Harvest.