Patricia Jean O'Brien Redman

Patricia was born on October 15, 1924, the second daughter to Georgeann Mae McGuire O'Brien. Patricia and her older sister Margaret Jane O'Brien (eventually Thornburgh) grew up in Yakima where their mother was the school nurse for the Yakima School District. Patty, as she was known then, was a delightful, bright and mischievous person; so bright that she skipped a grade in school. Her wit and wisdom were strengths that lasted all her life. She graduated from Yakima High School in 1941.

She began nurses training at Swedish Hospital in Seattle and was half way through her training when she married Ray Redman, Jr. At that time, nurses were not allowed to be married so she had to leave nurses training. After Ray finished his service with the Marine Corps, they lived at the University of Washington in married student housing with two children while Ray finished his engineering degree. They then moved back to the Yakima Valley to help Ray Redman, Sr. with his fruit ranch. The fruit ranch would become their life work.

Patricia was a gifted artist and brought her love of beauty and nature to her everyday world. The family vacations were always packed with sketch pads, binoculars and all sorts of reference books for flowers, birds and mushrooms. Fishing expeditions and mushroom hunts were always accompanied by picnics. All holidays were meant to be lived to the fullest.

Pat was the warehouse manager for the Redman fruit warehouse during its summer season for many years. There were a great many young people that saw the benefit of furthering their education after a summer or two at the "shed". Pat was the treasurer of St. John's Episcopal Mission in Union Gap for several years. She volunteered at Planned Parenthood. She helped her good friend, Beverly Dalrymple in the Wapato Junior High art classes.

Pat and husband Ray spent countless hours fishing but also managed to find time to travel after they retired. They took a photo safari to Africa and went to Hong Kong and China. After Ray died, Pat went to Ireland with daughter Laurie and grandson Alex. Pat also had the good fortune to spend several years with her dear friend, Kit Carson. They enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and around the West.

Pat was a truly kind soul. She could never stop trying to help lost souls or lost children. She hugged and fed everyone that she could. She was irrepressible. She was a good friend to many over all these years in the Yakima area. She will be missed by many.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband as well as her mother and sister. She is survived by her son Ray E. Redman, Ill with his wife Carol, by daughters Pam Russo and husband, Anthony A. Russo and Laurie Wishkoski and husband Gregg J. Wishkoski. She leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Kelly Wishkoski, Andrea Redman, Ross Russo, Brandon Redman, Nathan Russo, Alex Wishkoski, J. Kirby Redman and Maureen Wishkoski. Pat also has 8 great grandchildren. There are also 5 nephews that will sorely miss 'mean 01' Aunt Patty.

The family would like to express our gratitude to the staff and Brookdale Chesterley for the gentle, lovingcare they gave Pat while she resided there. Pat loved the Redman Ranch and the agriculture in the Yakima Valley.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington Apple Education Foundation or to Cottage in the Meadow in care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

A family graveside service will be held at Terrace Heights Memorial Park on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at the Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima beginning at 12:30 p.m.

To celebrate the life of Patricia and share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com.