Patricia Rose King

1928 - 2016

Patricia Rose King

Patricia Rose King, 88, passed away on October 1, 2016 at Overlake Memorial Hospital in Bellevue, Washington. She was born on May 1, 1928 in Anacortes, Washington to Edward and Katherine Fenno.

Pat grew up in Seattle and later in Eastern Washington, graduating from Wenatchee High School in 1946. After high school she attended Eastern Washington College in Cheney, transferring to Central Washington College her Sophomore year. There she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1951 and began a teaching career that would span 35 years.

Pat married fellow Central music student Waldo King in 1951 and the couple settled in Aberdeen Washington where both held teaching positions. They moved to new teaching positions in Goldendale, Washington between 1952-55. During that time Pat gave birth to two children; Ted (1953) and Pam (1955). The family then moved back to Aberdeen, then on to Seattle and eventually to Bellevue, Washington in 1962.

Pat's remarkable career included classroom teaching, girls P.E. and Health and eventually the position she truly loved, as a music specialist for the Bellevue Public Schools. Between 1970-86 Pat nurtured the creative talents of thousands of young students, staging many concerts and other artistic performances at several campuses across the school district.

A Sabbatical leave in 1979 earned her post graduate credits and an adjunct faculty position at Seattle Pacific University. Pat retired from teaching in 1989 but continued to work with young musicians teaching piano and guitar privately in her home.

Retirement also allowed more time to pursue other musical interests. Pat sang with the famed Seattle Pacific Chorale for 5 years and volunteered her time with the Seattle Repertory Theater. Later in life, Pat returned to her first love, singing the standards from the Great American Songbook. Her passion was facilitated by the opportunity to study with acclaimed jazz vocalist Greta Metassa and her trio. This collaboration led to many appearances by Pat singing the standards at the famed Tula's Jazz Club in Seattle. To the delight of her family and friends she recorded and released a CD of her favorite songs, a lasting legacy to her love of singing and of sharing her love of music.

Most recently, Pat was a proud member of Eastside Choral Ensemble, "The Issaquah Singers". She developed close friendships in the group and enjoyed participating in the many concerts performed in and around the Issaquah area each year.

In addition to music, Pat enjoyed other hobbies such as cooking, gardening and sewing beautiful handmade quilts. Pat also loved to travel and was able to take memorable trips with friends and family over the years, most notably to her ancestral hometown in Padova, Italy where she met many of her extended Italian family. She especially enjoyed spending winter months in Palm Springs close to good friends and her Brother Bob and his wife Mavis.

However, first and foremost in Pat's life was the boundless love and pride she held for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family visits with "Grammy Pat" remain very special memories for her family. Those visits were always filled with music, laughter, family stories and of course Grammy's favorite recipes; her famous spaghetti sauce, amazing Lasagna, savory soups, casseroles, apple pie and fresh raspberry jam from her garden.

Pat is survived by her son Ted King (Janice) of San Marcos, California and daughter Pam King Lakman (Doug) of Zillah, Washington, six grandchildren; Shawna, Jenny, Neil, Miles, Katie and Christina, and four great-grandchildren; Siliva Carson, Jenny, Katie, and Christina Noel, as well as nephews Kelly and Michael Fenno and other relatives.

Pat was preceded in death by her brother Robert Fenno and her parents Edward and Katherine. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Faith United Methodist Church in Issaquah, Washington on November 12th, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. All friends and family are encouraged to attend.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to The Overlake Hospital Foundation Palliative Care Program. Condolences may be left at www.Legacy.com.