She was born in Chico California, the daughter of Harry A Bruce and Irene (Allison) Bruce. Her family lived in Chico, Marysville, Oroville, Redding, and Woodland California. Pat graduated from Oroville Union High School where she helped edit the student newsletter. She also participated in the youth group of the Christian Church that her family attended. There, at the church in Oroville, Pat met Martin H Gerrard, her future husband.
Pat and Martin became engaged prior to college graduation. Pat always said she owed her parents 1 year of being a teacher to thank them for their sacrifice in putting her through college. After graduating from Chico State University, Pat taught 8th grade for 1 year in Lodi, California. In 1943 Pat and Martin wed and lived in San Francisco where Martin was in the Navy during WWII.
While in San Francisco, Pat worked at the San Francisco News and later an advertising agency. Pat and Martin moved to Portland in 1951 where Martin founded M.H. Gerrard Inc., a manufacturers’ representative firm. Pat was a stay at home mom, and live-in caregiver to her mother-in-law before returning to the workforce. During the 1960s, Pat became a volunteer tutor and then tutor trainer for Oregon Laubach Literacy where she taught people to read and write English. In 1973, she was one of Portland’s top ten Volunteers of the Year based on her literacy work. Pat worked for 15 years at the State of Oregon Employment Department where she enjoyed helping people reach their employment goals. After retirement, Pat sought out part-time work so that she could be of service and also gain new skills in using a computer, which were fairly new back then. She worked at Jewish Family & Child Services in Portland for 9 years, before retiring again. She then volunteered for 10 years with the Multnomah County Library where she worked at the Tidal Wave Bookstore. Pat was a writer and created the Chatterbox Newsletter at her retirement community, serving as editor-in-chief for 10 years.
Pat was ever kind and gentle, with an unending curiosity about life, and keen sense of observation. She enjoyed visiting with people and often remarked or wrote about things that caught her eye. Pat had a special friendship with Arthur King, a homeless man who sought work when she was a Job Placement Officer. She said she gained new insight into the challenges individuals who are homeless have when seeking a job or working.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Martin; two sisters; and friend Arthur. She felt very proud to become a great-grandma and felt blessed to have 8 great-grandchildren, and one due in October. She is also survived by sons Richard (Linda) and Steve (Leanne); daughter Judy; and eight grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Zeller Chapel of the Roses. Private burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery. A remembrance gathering will be held at Parkview Christian Retirement Center, date to be announced later.
In 2007, Pat and Martin Gerrard moved to Parkview Christian Retirement Community, 1825 NE 108th Ave, Portland, OR 97220. Any memorial gifts may be given to this non-profit facility.
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