Patsy Mehegan

Our mother, Patsy Mehegan passed away on Monday September 8, 2008, two days before her 87th birthday. We each said goodbye to her in our own way, and now have begun remembering all the things that we loved and now miss about her. It is the small, significant details we remember about mom that allows her spirit to remain with us.
Patsy Mehegan was born in Hakalau, Hawaii to parents who had emigrated from Okinawa to better their lives through work on a sugar cane plantation. She was married for many years to Joseph Mehegan who passed away in January 2002, with whom she had five children. Owing to dad's work abroad, mom carried much of the responsibility for raising us while maintaining a career with the United States government overseas. Where most would have failed in pursuits such as hers, mom managed to succeed. Mom was a quiet woman whose low profile received more attention than someone's stint in the spotlight.
With mom, "family comes first always" was a priority. Many times mom would crowd us into her car for weekend trips to the beach with our cousins. The trip was always to the same beach, on the same weekend day and at the same time, but it was never boring and we had great fun with new adventures to add. Mom's purpose was to relax with her children and allow kids to be kids, picking up sea shells or just sitting around talking and laughing with each other. There was time for discipline, though, with mom reminding us that she always "knew what we were up to." Though she worked very hard to support us, mom never failed to be there for us or make time for us when we needed her. We will miss gathering around the table on Friday nights, catching up on the latest news in each others' lives. Mom had great patience during family sleepovers; waking up early, she would gingerly step over bodies asleep on cushions across the floor, in an attempt to get the newspaper off the porch to read. Her love of family came from her family of six brothers and one sister. Mom held very close relationships with many of their spouses and her in-laws, their children and grandchildren.
Mom lived the last four years of her life with Erlinda and Ver Lucero, their children, Paul and Chad, and the staff of the Santo Nino Adult Family Home in Olympia. Without their excellent care, concern and love, mom would not have managed to live as full a life as possible. Special thanks also to Erin Kershisnik, M.D., the family practice physician who provided oversight for mom's medical care.
Mom was preceded in death by husband, Joseph Michael, and her former son-in-law, Timothy Fox, but is lovingly remembered and greatly missed by Marian, Victor, Charlotte, Bob, Margaret, Joseph Jr., Dennis and Joanne; her two grandchildren, Megan and Liam; and brothers, Gene (Florence) and Suko (Fumiko). Mom also leaves behind many, many loving Mehegan and Nishihira family members, some of whom she would meet with and re-kindle childhood memories at Nishihira family reunions organized by Nancy.
There will be a viewing from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2008, with another viewing at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2008, with services to follow at 5:00 p.m. at Mills & Mills Funeral Home, 5725 Little rock Road SW in Tumwater, WA. A second service at the Gardena Buddhist Church in Gardena, California, will be held for her family in October. The family requests that any and all donations be made to WOMENHEART, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease @ www.women heart.org or Hospice of Hilo @ www.hospiceofhilo.org.