Patricia Jean Gerard

After a long fight with cancer, Patty passed away peacefully on December 20, 2014.

Patty was born at Providence Hospital in Seattle on September 1, 1937 – appropriately it was on Labor Day. God saw fit to give her wonderful parents: Otto Ranft Jr. and Beth McIntyre Ranft. Her (late) parents loved and raised her as their only child through the hardships of the late depression, World War II and then a more prosperous 40s and 50s.

Patty was very active at Highline High School. She was president of SPADES…It was a service club that works to promote the welfare of handicapped children through knowledge, understanding, acceptance, and service, sponsored by the Highline Kiwanis organization. In her yearbook it reads: “With her bright eyes and flashing dimples, Patty served her class; A sparkling personality was the trademark of this lass.” Patty loved to dance! Her mother, Beth, loved to sew her dresses for the many balls that she attended. She fell in love with Newton Clark III (late) and went on to Washington State College together. They were married on August 9, 1958 – and graduated in 1959. Soon they had two boys; Scott Anthony and Charles Lewis (late). They traveled all over the states while Newton was in the Army, and then working with various jobs. They finally settled down on Mercer Island in 1967.

Patty loved life. She enjoyed skiing (or lodge skiing at the Seattle Ski Club), boating (Queen City/Seattle Yacht Clubs), spending time at the beach and traveling (visiting Israel, Egypt, Europe, Morocco and the Caribbean). She had a passion for interior design and had her own business: The Final Touch with Sally Campbell. Patty was an extrovert and enjoyed having family and friends into her home regularly. The yearly Christmas Caroling party was looked forward to by the whole neighborhood. She joined the Congregational Church on Mercer Island in the 1970s and her ashes will be committed to their memorial garden in the near future.

In the 1980s, there were many struggles including a divorce. Patty also battled with alcohol, but through AA, Bible Study Fellowship and with the support of friends, she was set free by her Higher Power, Jesus. Her sparkle, humor and zest for life became more pronounced than ever. She was lovingly called “Auntie Mame” by her dear nephew and family: Ed and Casey Clark and their kids Rick and Stephanie. She loved her other nephews and nieces as well: Linda and Mike Jorve, (their children Chris Jorve and Jim Hepper), and Doug and Barbara Clark.

Patty remarried in 1989 to Alan Gerard. An avid designer himself and Jaguar restoration expert, you could find them at British Field Meets or puttering around their home in Beaux Arts.

Patty loved her three grandchildren: Karissa Beth Haumann, Moses Martin Clark and Miriam Anne Collord. She made four trips to Cameroon, West Africa to visit them.

In 1996, she was first hit by breast cancer. She almost died of complications but no sooner did she go into remission than her husband Alan passed away, also of cancer.

Patty continued her adventurous life through her PEO sisters, book club, garden club, Delta Gamma get-togethers, water aerobics and even white water rafting! She made a great contribution to the life of her cousin Shirley Licko who had dementia and needed special care in the San Francisco Bay area.

When the cancer came back in 2006, she was ready to fight. Because she fought, she was able to see her granddaughters graduate from University and see them both get married. Also, Patty and her sister-in-law Bonnie Clark (late) traveled to Montana for the wedding of her friend Barbara Weeks’ son. She WAS DETERMINED to be involved right to the end. Visits from friends and family to the Gardens were so appreciated these last couple of years as it was more difficult for her to get out.

Patty is survived by many other special family members including her daughter-in-law Ruthie Clark, her cousin Bernice West, and Bernice’s son and daughter Paul and Julie and their children. Her cousins Kim Blomdal and Mark Licko and their families survive and are living in the Bay area.

We will celebrate Patty’s life this Sunday, January 4, 2015, at 2 pm, at the Mercer Island Congregational Church. There will be a reception following the service.

Patty really thanked God for the Physical Therapist who came to help her at the Gardens at Town Square. Thus, memorials gifts may be given in Patty’s name to help build a Physical Therapy Department in Banyo Cameroon, West Africa. Send your gifts to Converge Worldwide, 2002 S. Arlington Heights Rd. Arlington Heights, IL 60005-4193. Mention the special project of the Physical Therapy department in Cameroon – account # #733094.