Patricia Jo McDowell, nee Murray, was born on April 30, 1950. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she also lived in Florida and California, primarily in Garden Grove. Patti was the fourth of ten children in her family.  Her two older sisters and parents have already preceded her in death.  She was very close with her family; she connected with them regularly.  As a child, she attended Catholic school through eighth grade.  She graduated from Garden Grove High School in June 1968. Patti, or PJ as she was known, used to play the accordion and she also tap danced.  She played varsity volleyball in high school. She met her husband of 55+ years, Greg, in 1968 while working at the Orange Drive In.   She married Greg in July 1970. As a military wife, she moved nine times, settling in the Tri-Cities in 1988 after Greg started working for Hanford Patrol. Patti worked as a beautician, wig stylist, clerk, cashier, billing clerk, and payroll clerk.  But most of all, she loved being a mom and grandmother.  She was very proud of her children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.  She had two sons [and daughters in law]; Erik [wife Lynn]and Brian [wife Jodi]. Both boys graduated from Kamiakin High School and Central Washington University.  Erik is a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and Brian is a Security Manager at Battelle. She had six grandchildren: Zoe, Maci, Luke, Lana, Laci and Leia Jo.  Tragically, Lana died of brain cancer last year at age 15.

Patti was tough.  She had already survived a stroke, a sudden cardiac arrest 2 1/2 years ago and battled with congestive heart failure for the past couple years. She contracted a UTI in May and fought it throughout the summer.  Complications from the UTI are what ultimately took her on 23 August. The Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice eased her passing.  She is survived by sisters Leigh Ann Hall, Nancy Ellis, Kathy Murray, and Mary Lundeen. Her brothers are Danny, Kerry and David.  She was not afraid to die.  She was looking forward to meeting Jesus and reuniting with Lana. A life celebration will be held 26th of Sept at Brian’s residence in West Richland @ 1700 hours.