Frances "Patti" Patricia Zbylski

Frances Patricia (Patti) Zbylski passed away in Spokane Valley on Friday, April 4, 2025. She was born Sept. 5, 1961 to Ted & Susan Cohen in Tonasket, WA. As a baby she became a foster child in the home of Stanley and Frances Zbylski in Riverside, WA. She was later adopted by them which gave her 2 brothers—Leland and Daniel.

Patti attended grade school in Riverside then went to high school in Omak. When she became 18 one of her Native sisters made contact with her. She became acquainted with her Native family and has kept up with them through the years. After graduation she moved to Spokane and took classes at Spokane Falls Community College. She obtained a CNA license and thereafter worked in several nursing homes. Later on, her jobs included a housekeeping job at a major hotel in downtown Spokane and later janitorial work for retail businesses in Northtown Mall.

Through many ups and downs in life she gave birth to 2 daughters, Kiona Zbylski Armstrong (Ben) and Monica Zbylski. She raised them mostly as a single Mom and did the best she could. She has 1 granddaughter--Lily Zbylski. She was the light of her life. She was anxiously awaiting the birth of another grandchild in June this year. She was excited to see the ultrasound picture.

Patti’s commitment to God was her keeping power in life with all its struggles. She is forever thankful for her adoptive Mother in teaching her about trusting in God and the encouragement of her brother, Dan and his wife Karen, and the many friends she made in life. She loved singing “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” with her daughters when they were young.

She is was preceded in death by her adoptive parents, brother Leland and his wife, Sharron, a nephew and some of her Native family. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Kiona (Ben) and Monica; granddaughter, Lily; brother, Dan and his wife Karen; Native siblings, Annie, Mary Lou, Edward, & William, and several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

A visitation for Patti will be held Friday, April 25, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ball & Dodd Funeral Home, 5100 West Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205. A funeral service will occur at Ball & Dodd Funeral Home, Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a graveside service at 12:30 PM at Greenwood Memorial Terrace, 211 N Government Way, Spokane, WA 99224.