Patricia Ann Mohlman

Patricia Ann Mohlman was born December 30th 1945 in Seattle, WA. Sadly, she left this earth on October 29th 2022 at 76 years old. She is survived by her children Jara Mohlman, James (Amber) Mohlman, Julie Mohlman. Grandsons Mason and Patrick Mohlman, twin brother Mike (Gail) Johnson and her sister Bonnie Webb. Waiting for her with open arms on the other side are her husband Hal, son Steve, parents Don and Ella Nora Johnson, brothers Bob and Dick, and brother-in-law Dave Webb. We're sure the reunion was a joyous one.

Mom was stunning and popular in school. She prided herself on being a “groovy” dancer. She let us know that she had the moves! Everyone wanted to dance with her. She was always a go-getter as evidenced by her being Junior Class Secretary, Senior Class Vice President, and active in Honor Society, Debate and Orchestra.

Shortly after graduating high school, Pat went on a mission to Switzerland. She always spoke fondly of her time there and we often wondered if that is where she developed her love of chocolate. With a twinkle in her eye she would say to us "das ist gut"...for anything she deemed good, cool or yummy.

Patricia met Hal when they were attending University of WA. She told us the story that they met at a church dance. She told one of her friends at the end of the night that, "I just met my husband." And so she did... Pat and Hal were married on June 17th, 1970.

Patricia was not only a homemaker, but she instilled her creativity in all of us. If mom wasn't making crafts for craft fairs, she was painting, playing piano, dancing around to Isaac Hayes or the Bee Gees, creating ceramics, quilting, needle point, crocheting, making jams, canning peaches, making gourmet chocolates, directing plays (she got dad to wear jeans in South Pacific!), refinishing furniture, sewing clothes and blankets, organizing family parties, decorating her home to the hilt for holidays, and last but not least...gardening. Mom's gardens were always the most beautiful. Her dahlias were always the most impressive, grandiose flowers to behold. When we were afraid of the bees she would tell us, "You just need to talk to the bees and ask them to leave you bee... Get it?" Well she must have had some rapport with them because we don't recall mom ever getting a single bee sting.

We can't talk about mom without mentioning sports. She was truly the number one Mariners, Seahawks and Huskies fan. We literally had a shrine to Edgar Martinez in our house. She didn't just watch sports, she played them. Not only was she a volleyball coach, but she was also a badass softball player. She played first base and pitcher. A testament to her strength and determination was the day she batted and slid into first base. You could tell she may have injured herself as she limped a bit. But you can bet your bottom dollar that when it was time for her to run the rest of the bases she did. We kids remember her coming and plopping on the grass next to us, "Does my ankle look weird to you?” It turns out she ran the rest of the bases with a torn Achilles tendon.

Mom was also big on fairness and justice. If she perceived that you did not do the right thing, she would let you know. One rainy evening she had a car full of kids and we needed to run into the store for dinner shopping. Mom was waiting patiently for a parking spot. As she was about to turn in, some impatient driver cut her off and zoomed in. Mom's face turned bright red, she got out of the car and yelled, "I've got a car full of hungry kids... I will have my husband Jack Sikma kick your butt!"

For a family and mother who believed in justice... unfortunately... she was not awarded this same justice. For someone that was so active, vibrant, ALIVE... for someone who wanted every hour of the day to count... for someone who used her hands to create and bring others joy... it was a gut punch when she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Over the years it slowly took the things she loved away. No more sports, no more piano, no more painting, no more elaborate meals... then even no more gardening. Mom battled this for over 40 years.

However, Mom never gave up. Her strength and resilience are unmatched. She continued to try to see the positive in everything. She limped and gimped her way and found her joy in her kids and grandkids, her sports, food... and chocolate.

In recent years she became bed-ridden. It was painful for us to see her lose her independence... it was harder for her. We are happy that now she has no boundaries.

Mom found things she loved... She found joy in the little things. Chimpanzees, Orangutans and Silverbacks became her obsession in the last few years. She loved to study their behavior and was tickled pink when her favorite, Kitoko, did ANYTHING. They made her giggle and she would stay up way too late watching videos about them. Also... don't you dare call them monkeys! She doesn't have anything against monkeys per se... or so she said. LOL!

Patricia Mohlman was truly one of the strongest people on the planet. She never gave up. She was courageous, gutsy, brave, and fearless. She persevered and thrived when others would have shrunk, melted or abandoned ship. She put up a hell of a fight.

After she passed we were sitting around eating way too much chocolate and sharing memories and throwing out adjectives... just honoring and remembering our mom. Out of the blue Steve chimed in from beyond the grave... and we truly believe it was Steve... blurted out, “Tenacious P!” After we all had a little giggle, it did just feel like the most appropriate nickname for her.

Mom, we miss you so much. We are so sorry you struggled for so long. No one deserves that and none of your children would wish that on our worst enemies.

We love you Tenacious P! Give dad and Steve a big sloppy hug for us. XOXO

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Patricia's name to Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW: https://chimpsnw.org/donate/