She was born in Omaha, Nebraska to James and Shirley Gillespie in July of 1946. They relocated to Carter Lake where she was raised. She spoke of many fond memories in “The Horseshoe,” as she referred to it. It was there that she met and married Robert (Bob) Vashon. They married in 1962 after Bob told her father that he WAS marrying his daughter. Bob enlisted in the Army and Pat became a supportive military wife. Together, they raised six children; Debbie, Robert, Jimmy, Christy, Tammy and Mandy. Throughout the years, as a military family, they were stationed at numerous locations both foreign and domestic. Bob retired after 20 years of service and the family relocated to Arizona. As her children got older, the family grew to include three grandsons, James, Brandon and Dylan; the lights of her life.
Pat, being a compassionate and caring person, pursued a career in caregiving as a nurses assistant at Mesa Christian Care Center. She continued to dedicate herself to caregiving and became the Director at Mesa Christian Manor. After more than a decade, she retired. Still dedicated to adding joy to people's lives, she went on to become a floral designer and manager at Fry’s and retired after 15 years of service.
Throughout her life she was a loving, dedicated and devoted; wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed Sunday dinners with her family, which included anyone brought into her life-they always had a seat at her table. Other activities she liked doing with her family were playing croquet, cards, darts; going camping and fishing, dancing, cooking, scratch tickets, puzzles and watching local sports teams on TV. In her spare time, she would read, do word search and crossword books, and play Solitaire. You could usually find her outside on her patio enjoying a cup of coffee and putting her thoughts on paper, to include short stories and poetry.
She is preceded in death by: husband Robert Vashon Sr., son James Michael Vashon, daughter Tammy Jo Vashon, parents James Ward and Shirley Mae Gillespie, Marlene Erickson (Joe), brothers; Larry Patrick, Gary Michael, and Robert Steven Gillespie, sister Becky Nielsen, nephews; Charles “Chuckie” Gunn and Stephen Richardson, great nephew Richard “Bubba” Nielsen, brother-in-law Harold Vashon, son-in-law Kennedy Michael Vashon, sister-in-law Carol Gillespie, and Pat's pet chihuahuas, Tiffany and Gizmo.
She is survived by: daughter Debora Lynn Vashon, son Robert Vashon Jr., daughter Christine Ann Vashon, daughter Amanda Jane Easton (Bill), sisters; Sandra Emmons (Mark), Sherry Gunn (Chuck), Nancy Richardson (Steve), Diane Lindlief, brothers; Jimmy Gillespie and Ronnie Gillespie, grandsons; James Anthony Chaffman, Brandon Michael William Easton and Dylan James Easton, brother-in-law Bill Vashon (Carrie), sister-in-law Anna Lou Waggener, sister-in-law Lorraine Vashon as well as many nieces and nephews, their families and many friends.
Pat was a beautiful and loving person who would want you to know that she had a good life. She will be greatly missed and loved forever by all who knew her.
Pat would want you to wear something comfortable and casual and if you so choose, wear something green in observance of her favorite holiday, St. Patrick's Day.
Memorial services will be held at 12:00 pm on March 16th, 2022 at Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery 401 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257
