Patricia (Patsy) Cole Vinther, 91, of Richland, WA, passed away early on December 28, 2017, at her home with family by her side. She was born August 17, 1926 in Chester County, PA to William Raymond and Edna Patricia Volin Cole. Patsy’s father was a professor of physics at Lincoln University, near Oxford, PA, and the family, including younger sister Caroline, lived on the Lincoln campus throughout Patsy’s youth. Happy summers were spent at the family’s cabin at Lake Willoughby, Vermont. Sadly, when Patsy was only 11, her mother passed away. During WWII, Patsy’s father served in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander stationed in San Diego. The family, which now included Patsy’s stepmother, Marjorie, followed him there and Patsy attended San Diego State College. It was while in San Diego that Patsy met her future husband, Paul Vinther, a handsome sailor who approached her at a Victory in Japan celebration on base. He did not realize she was his commanding officer’s daughter, or he might have chickened out! Fortunately, love blossomed and endured despite Patsy and her family moving back to PA and Patsy resuming attendance at Middlebury College in Vermont. Shortly after Paul was discharged from the Navy, he drove cross country to propose, and the two were later married on June 27, 1947 in Oxford, PA. The newlyweds then moved to Paul’s hometown of Spokane, WA, where he attended Whitworth College and Patsy worked. After graduation, Paul was hired to work at Hanford for General Electric and they made the move to the Tri-Cities where Patsy began her career as a Homemaker Extraordinaire. Patsy and Paul lived in the same Richland ranch house on Birch Avenue for over 65 years; these were happy years that included the addition of their children, Paula, Rick, and Marjo, and were filled with love, fun, and lots of laughter. “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28. 

Patsy and Paul were members of Central Church in Richland where Patsy served on the Chancel Guild and helped make many of the paraments and banners that are still in use today. Patsy was also a member of Chapter DF of PEO and served in many positions, including President. She enjoyed serving as a Red Cross blood drive volunteer for several years. After Paul retired, they went on many fun adventures, cruising and traveling around the world. Their favorite place of all, though, was Maui, where they spent every November for many years.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018, 2:00, at Central Church, 1124 Stevens Dr., Richland. A reception will follow.

Memorial donations in Patsy’s name may be made to the charity of your choice. Many thanks go out to the staff at Brookdale, most especially her caregivers; she loved them all.