Patricia Jane Curran

Patricia Jane CURRAN 1933~2011 Patricia "Pat" Jane Curran passed away at the age of 77 on January 15th, 2011, after a short bout with lung cancer. She lived in Kent, Washington for almost 50 years, where she recently reigned as Queen of Kent (Old timers' division). Pat was born in Spokane, Wash ington on September 25, 1933 to Doris and Wallace Phillips. In the early 1940s, they lived in Chewe lah, Washington, where her par ents both had multiple jobs, best of all running the local movie the ater. Pat and her brother Wally saw every new movie, with free popcorn and candy to boot. Pat spent her summers at Uncle Debs' wheat ranch in Pomeroy, Washington. She graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma, Washington, and thereafter the University of Washington with a teaching degree. Pat was married in 1955 to Charles Peter "Pete" Curran from Hillyard, Washington, and they were always known as Pete and Pat. A selfless, organized wife and mother, she raised eight kids with Pete. Her infectious laugh was cherished by her fami ly and friends. Pat and Pete made travel possible for their family to attend frequent reunions, allow ing the young, far flung cousins to become good friends. They brought their large brood with them on an epic trip to Europe in 1979, arriving in each town with out reservations. Pat was a strong Catholic, long time parishioner and lay minister at Holy Spirit Parish in Kent, and with Pete served the needy of all beliefs through St. Vincent De Paul. As a community organizer, Pat worked behind the scenes to get things done. She spearheaded downtown Kent development through the Kent Downtown Part ners. She was an early supporter of Kent's Saturday Market, one of the first of these now-ubiquitous local farmers and crafts mar kets. She was a fearsome Scrabble player and crossword fan; she wrote and published poetry with an edge: "Here, behind the marigolds, a cat with one eye has been tossing a limp mouse into the air all evening" (from "Hiding in the Garden") Pat was an arts promoter, and with Pete, brought the Blind Boys of Alabama to Kent as well as oth er performing artists. She was a Washington State Arts Commis sioner and an officer of the North west Renaissance poetry organi zation. She was a card carrying member of the National Organi zation for Women and diehard Democrat. Pat was sprightly and open to new people, indeed a collector of friends; organizing her walking group, gathering with her book group and high school friends, playing tennis until three months ago with yet another circle of women. Pat and Pete were adventure trav elers, trekking as young seniors to Cuba, Egypt and Vietnam. She served and donated to many candidates and causes, including St. Vincent de Paul and Chil dren's Orthopedic. Pat will be greatly missed by her husband, Pete Curran, and her children Keelin (Jack), Sheila (Henry), Marcy (Rod), Betsey (Jonathan), Brendan (Amy), Mary (Dean), and Megan (Eric). Her beloved son Colin died in 1983. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, Claire, Paloma, Colum, Melanie, Mackenzie, Delaney, Kevin, Katya, Beau, Graham, Declan, Dylan, Marlena, Audrey, Camille, Althea, Augie, Otis and Olivia, a great grandchild, Stazzi James, and her two brothers Wally and Jay Phillips. Funeral services for Pat Curran will be held at Holy Spirit Church, 310 3rd Ave. So. in downtown Kent, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday January 22, 2011. A reception celebrating Pat's life will be held at the church hall following the funeral service. The Curran Family encourages donations in lieu of flowers to St. Vincent De Paul. Please send checks to: SDVP, 310 3rd Ave. So., Kent, WA 98032.