Patsy MOUNSEY

1932 - 2025

Patsy Ann (Erwin) Mounsey entered peacefully into eternal rest in her Spokane home on June 27, 2025. She was surrounded by her deeply loving family as she had been during the preceding weeks. Patsy was born in Spokane, the second daughter of Clark P. and Mary Louise (Hebberd) Erwin on November 27, 1932. Patsy attended Wilson Grade School and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1950. Ever competitive, athletic and social, Patsy enjoyed her years at LC in Artemeid, TiGirls, competitive swimming at Comstock, synchronized swimming, figure skating and horseback riding. She was an enthusiastic yell leader at the University of Washington. A curious, adventurous traveler, Patsy became a United Airlines flight attendant in 1954. The following year, she fortuitously reconnected with lifelong fellow Cannon Hill neighbor, Ross Henry Mounsey, whom she had first encountered when they were children. Their reconnection led to Patsy and Ross's 1955 engagement, then 1956 marriage. Within the next seven years of their marriage, Patsy and Ross welcomed five children. Ross and Patsy were married for nearly 67 very active full years filled with family, friends and travel.

Patsy was ferociously dedicated to her family and the Roman Catholic faith. She and Ross also placed the utmost value upon education and sent their five kids to parochial school at Our Lady of Fatima. While the kids were at Fatima, Patsy was also very involved in the Spokane community. She led Cub Scout troops, was a member of the Fatima Altar Society, and was continuously active in her kids' sports and hobbies. As a member of the Junior League of Spokane, Patsy reveled in her time spent as an art trooper in District 81 schools, the annual Wampum and PowWow, Cabaret and Spokane Art School.

An accomplished artist, Patsy resumed watercolor and oil painting when the kids began high school at Ferris, a hobby that she continued for decades. Many of her paintings adorn the walls of her home (though she'd be the last person to draw attention to her works). A lifelong sports enthusiast, Patsy enjoyed skiing, a sport that enabled the entire family to spend years of fantastic winter weekends at Schweitzer, along with numerous friends. Patsy learned to golf at 40, a sport to which she applied her usual "can do" attitude and commitment. She and Ross enjoyed nearly 50 years of golfing with family and friends at Manito Golf and Country Club. She excelled at the sport. She won Manito's 1979 Handicap Tournament, and in 1980 she won both its Longest Drive and the Closest to the Pin awards. She also dedicated her time to teaching Spokane's youth to learn to golf through her involvement in the Junior League. Patsy and Ross remained social members of Manito after they no longer golfed. Patsy enjoyed her weekly social time at Manito playing bridge and Mahjongg with lifelong friends. Later in life, Patsy and Ross enjoyed hiking while traveling, and walking everywhere, especially in their Cannon Hill neighborhood, Priest Lake, and Indian Wells.

Most of all, Patsy was consistently fun! She was considered by scores of her kids' friends as "the cool mom" in the neighborhood and is renowned for always welcoming her kids' friends with an open door. She will be forever remembered for her continuing family meals, often featuring her famous "Patsy's Salad" and "Patsy's Pies."

After the kids were nearly out of school, Patsy returned to college, earning a paralegal degree. As a paralegal, Patsy worked for both the Spokane County Public Defender's Office and the King County Prosecutor's Office. She retired from the latter in 1999. She and Ross returned to Spokane that year and bought a home in their childhood neighborhood where both lived until their passing.

Patsy is survived by her brother, Charlie Erwin; her children, Blake, Lynn, Pete (Anne), Tom (Jill) and Nick (Kim); her grandchildren, Gracey, Mary Sarah and Peter Mounsey, Molly and Katy Mounsey, Alexis Moore (Chris), and Louis Mounsey (Emily); and numerous Maher, Walker, Giesa and Mounsey nieces and nephews. Patsy was preceded in death by husband, Ross; parents, Mary Lou and Clark Erwin; and sisters, Peggy Giesa and Charlene Maher.

A funeral will be held at St. Augustine's Catholic Church on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with reception immediately following at Manito. Patsy's private inurnment will be held at Queen of Peace Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Providence Inland Northwest Foundation. Online memorial page can be found at www.holycrossofspokane.org.