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Patricia French Obituary
Patricia Anne (Soule) French passed away after a brief illness on February 6, 2017 at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, WA. She was 88 years old.
Pat was born January 23, 1929 to Clarence and Clara (Ferguson) Soule in Madison, Wisconsin. The family moved to the Seattle area when she was a young child. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1946, and went on to Pasadena City College to study acting and drama. It is here that she met Jim French, and they were married June 17, 1950. They lived in Honolulu, HI, then moved back to the Seattle area in 1952. She and Jim lived in Bellevue for the past 60 years. She had two children.
Since Pat was a young child she was fascinated with theater and dramatics. She appeared in many community theater productions over the years, and later directed plays. She did voice work for radio commercials, and played Murphy in Jim French Production's "Harry Nile" Imagination Theater series. Pat took great joy teaching acting, audition and voice-over classes through Bellevue Community College, and privately coached many aspiring actors.
Pat is survived by her husband of 66 years, James (Jim) French, of the family home; daughter Lee Anne French of Elma, WA, and son Jeff French of Seattle, WA. She had 4 grandchildren, Olivia Dugan of Spokane, WA, Shannon (Dugan) Patterson of Hoquiam, WA, and Chris and Nick Dugan, both of Portland, OR., and 6 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held for Pat Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the South Bellevue Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 15205 SE 28th St, Bellevue, Washington, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Donations in Pat's name can be made to Seattle Humane Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Patricia French
Sponsored by The Family.
Janelle Lowrance
August 24, 2023
I used to clean
Pat and Jim´s house for years. I was thinking about them. So happy this page is here. Pat helped me in so many ways with so many things. She always welcomed my children to help. We always listened to Jim on the radio. It was a grand time.
Austin Sloan
January 17, 2023
Pat, what a lady. I took voice over classes from her for several years then she told me I needed to start taking classes to be in front of the camera. I started taking acting lessons at her house and she was persistent. I was adamant that voiceovers was the direction for me but she was even more adamant that I needed to be in front of the camera. So glad I listened to her. I'm amazed at how far I've come since starting taking lessons in her office upstairs fill with years and years of material. She was such a joy. She mentioned she had another student who she encouraged as well, Brendan Fraser. If it wasn't for her I would never have taken that first job in front of the camera. Thanks again Pat. I know you are watching over us all and continuing to push us even more.
Debbie Barrelier Blanchard
November 20, 2022
My Mom & I would listen to Jim French on KIRO radio for many years as well as Pat on late evenings w/ years on the Mystery series. After studying drama I studied commercial voice acting & did 4 TV commercials in Colorado studied at their home & went on to an impromptu auditon as a " squeaky Mouse" for the American Cancer Society as she pulled me up on stage at Seattle Waterfront
Pam "Thomas"
July 19, 2022
Although it has been 5 years that Pat passed away, I felt compelled to sign this. I was a DJ in Seattle in the late 80's/early 90's, and somehow found Pat, who was my voice guru for several months. She taught me SO much, and here I am in my 60's, and stopped doing radio several years ago. But I landed on a voiceover course, and I am renewing my voiceover career. I remember Pat being so helpful when I was almost brand new in the radio world. She gave me a copy of her headshot and said, "put this in front of you when you're on the air and talk to me!" She also knew I was having a lot of stress, and gave me the keys to her cabin on Orcas Island and said, "Go for the weekend and relax, and read this book." The book was called "What to say when you talk to yourself" and changed my life, as did Pat. She has always been in my heart, and will always be there! She was like a second mom to me, and my voiceover coaches are amazed that I can still be natural when doing voiceover work. Pat may be gone in the physical world, but will always be a part of my life. RIP Pat, I will always remember and love you!
JOHN C CAREY, MAJOR, USA (RETIRED)
July 16, 2021
I loved listening to Mrs. French and her portrayal of "Murphy" in the Adventures of Harry Nile. she always sounded so thoughtful about entertaining her listeners, too. I enjoy the shows via Audible and other ways since @ 2011. God bless her memory, as well as her husband, Jim.
Patti Kalles
February 11, 2021
Even after 4 years I still miss her. She was important to me. RIP
Shona Powers
February 11, 2020
Always remembering the lessons Pat gave me - appreciating her forever!
Clarissa Althoff
February 12, 2019
I so enjoyed listening to her as the her character "Murphy" on the Adventures of Harry Nile with my younger sister, who also passed at the age of 22 back in 2005. R.I P. You will be missed.
Lee Boatwright
September 21, 2018
You will always be my favorite Murphy. I listened ever weekend night. Used to listen when I was working late night security jobs and at home when I could Have lots of your recordings. There will never be another Murphy for me that is for sure. RIP you and Jim. Miss hearing both of you.
April 20, 2018
Sorry I am over a year late but I just heard of her passing yesterday. She was a special person and an icon of our business.
Patti Kalles CSA
Corwin Scott
January 6, 2018
My favorite radio actress!
Shona Bailey Powers
August 13, 2017
Thank you Pat for showing me that we all have a light that shines with in. Your light will forever shine in my heart. Much Love, Shona
July 21, 2017
I just learned of Pat's passing. I am so sorry that I didn't know earlier. Sometimes news takes time to get to the heart of Missouri. She was a wonderful person and so talented. I had the privilege of studying voice over acting and acting for the camera for two years under her guidance. She and her husband Jim have left a lasting imprint on the arts worldwide. May your soul Rest in Peace Pat. You have had a positive impact on so many especially your students and fans.
June 4, 2017
Many years ago Pat was my acting coach. Not only was she a wonderful teacher, but she taught me one thing that has stuck with me for my entire life; she taught me about goals and how to achieve them. For that, I'm forever grateful. Rest well Pat. ❤~Moonbeam in Arizona
Joe Phillips
May 23, 2017
I will always remember her as my voice over teacher at her home. I will miss her. Thank you Pat, blessings.
Sandra Meyer
May 16, 2017
I will miss Pat French. She was always a very passionate person and thoroughly engaged as a teacher and performer.
Steve Weisher
March 26, 2017
Although only having only recently discovered Imagination Theater, I very much have enjoyed Pat's performances on various productions. May Pat rest in peace and I offer my best thoughts and prayers for her, and her surviving family
anne hersey
March 12, 2017
I knew Pat only through her work with Imagination Theater but felt like she and the whole company had become friends. My condolences to Jim and the entire family. Pat helped bring so much joy to me in the past 17 yrs. Thank you dear lady. Break a leg wherever you are.
Stacey Pfeiffer
March 8, 2017
I am so sad to find this out. I took a couple of her voice over classes at her home. She was such a positive and sweet lady. She will be missed.
March 7, 2017
I adored Pat and met her in 1990 where she gave me private coaching for one year. Then I took any class I could from her and learned so very much. We became very close friends and she took me to her cabin on Orcas Island for a weekend. I remember lounging on her deck watching the biggest meteor shower I'd ever seen. We connected in so many ways, and if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have started in community theatre and been onstage and directed for 23 years. God bless you my dear friend and I know you are watching over me.
All my love, Katrina Baxter Hodiak
March 1, 2017
I loved Murphy, so sad to hear the news.
February 19, 2017
My heart goes out to you, Lee Anne and all of your family. Many good memories growing up both in Enatai and Issaquah. I hope she is at peace and you are comforted by loved ones around you.
February 18, 2017
I am so sorry, Jim, to hear about Pat's passing. She was one of my favorite people. She was good at her trade. We had so much fun together. My very best wishes and condolences to you....Barbara Self
Erich Hahn
February 18, 2017
I loved listening to her as Murphy on Harry Nile. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but I felt I knew her.
Jim and Pat - Date night
Lee Anne French
February 18, 2017
Jim and Pat
Lee Anne French
February 18, 2017
Pat on Lee Anne's wedding day
Lee Anne French
February 18, 2017
Steve Ducharme
February 18, 2017
So sorry to hear. She was one of those special, amazing people that are in your life that you never forget. Her "Acting for camera" classes were so much more than acting technique. They were classes about exploring life and making a safe place where we all could let go and be authentic and not be afraid to try anything. My condolences to the family. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Ken Kreps
February 18, 2017
Pat was one of a kind. I am a better person and actor for having known her and Jim, and I feel great sorrow that she is gone. She will never be forgotten and will will be in our hearts, always.
February 17, 2017
Dear family, I offer my condolences. May the God of all comfort support you through this difficult time.
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