Pat C. Barnum

Pat Barnum

1929-2009

Pat C. Barnum of Eugene, married to Fred L. Barnum and the mother of five sons, passed away quietly in the presence of family Monday, Oct. 12, at the Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield. She was 79.

Patricia Claire was born in Portland on Oct. 29, 1929 to Ole and Clara Aasen, the elder of two daughters. Her sister, Nancy, preceded her in death. Pat graduated from Franklin High School in 1947 and then attended Lewis and Clark College, Portland. There, as a member of Trodse Ski Club, she met Fred. They were engaged in 1949 and married April 22, 1950. Next year would have marked the couple's 60th wedding anniversary.

The couple have five sons: Paul, married to Sibyl, who live in Portland and Tacoma, Wash.; Gary, married to Karen, who live in Lake Oswego; Tom, married to Siv Serene; John, married to Vikkie; and Fred "Bob," partnered with Patti, all of whom live in Eugene. Among the five sons and their spouses and partners, Pat was blessed with 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Pat provided years of joy, comfort and guidance to her family. She loved to cook and all remember uncountable great meals and hanging around the cookie jar in the warm family kitchen. She loved to garden, and each house we lived in was a showpiece for the neighborhood. She loved to work crossword puzzles and read, and she would share with each of us her most recent favorite books and authors. She loved to travel, and in their 20 years of retirement, Fred and Pat took several cruises to exotic ports and numerous trips to the Oregon Coast, her favorite vacation spot.

Most of all, Pat loved her husband and family. To be with Mom at family gatherings was to share humor, joy, serious thoughts about what mattered to us and laughter -- always laughter. Her eyes would twinkle with delight when she thought of something funny. When we all got together, quiet occurred only after bedtime.

As wife, mother and homemaker, Pat accompanied her best friend and husband, a partner in a regional accounting firm, to Pendleton, 1963-71; Astoria, 1971-84; and Eugene, 1984 to the present. As a couple, they "retired" in 1989 and remained in Eugene.

Pat was a longtime member of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. and devoted countless hours to the life of Presbyterian churches in Portland, Pendleton, Astoria and Eugene. In Astoria, she also volunteered with the local chapter of the American Red Cross and Rotary Ann's, an affiliate of Rotary International. There she also became involved with the Oregon State Chapter of P.E.O. Sisterhood, and she continued her involvement in Eugene, eventually serving as President of the DZ Chapter, 1996-97.

A committal service took place at Mt. Cavalry Cemetery, Eugene on Friday, Oct. 16. It was followed by a Celebration of Life at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Eugene. Please sign the guest book at www.registerguard.com/legacy