Patricia M. Loosmore

Patty Loosmore passed away April 19, 2017, from Alzheimers. She was born in Los Angeles, CA on August 28, 1934, to Ethel Beem McCue and James Hoffman McCue. She grew up In Pasadena, and following graduation from high school, she married Robert Ferguson. They had four children. Patty and Bob divorced, and she married Henry "Mac" McKinney in 1960. The family moved to Waitsburg and soon thereafter into the "house of her dreams," a 1912 Craftsman farmhouse on the Coppei Creek outside of town.

Once her youngest child was in school, Patty went to work for the Waitsburg School District, as Business Manager and secretary to the Superintendent, where she also drove school bus.

Henry died suddenly at age 38, leaving Patty with the responsibilities of a big house, property, and four kids at home. She later remarried, to Marcus Horney, who died 14 years later.

Patty was a charter member of the Waitsburg Ambulance Service, and served 21 years as an EMT. She also was a Fire Commissioner, and kept the books for the Fire District for many years.

She was a member of DeNova and Odako Clubs, and Waitsburg Historical Society. Patty belonged to Waitsburg Commercial Club, and in 1985, she received the Community Service Award. She enjoyed playing bass fiddle with Vesta Gage and the Melodiers at the annual Pioneer Fall Festival. She was a Past Worth Matron of Waitsburg Chapter #9, Order of the Eastern Star.

Following retirement, she realized one of her lifelong dreams, which was to own her own gift shop. An expert seamstress and tole-painter, she filled "The Pine Cupboard" with her crafts.

Using her "can-do" attitude and her interest in architecture, she got her contractor's license, and then designed and built a new house at the edge of the family property. She was very proud of her landscaping, and especially her many trees.

Through mutual friends, she met Bill Loosmore in 2003, and they enjoyed married life together until, due to her declining health, she moved into an extended care facility. Bill passed away last August.

Survived by her children, Jenny Rencken (John), Linda Herbert, Robert McKinney, and Patton McKinney, and 8 grandchildren: Amber (Jon) Lambert, Erin (Bryan) Miller, Adam (Mollie) Mellishrencken, John Herbert, Brandon (Kasey) McKinney, Megan (Derick) Schoessler, Bret (Brittany) McKinney, and Blake McKinney. She is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren and eight step-children from her marriage to Bill.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Walla Walla and the Waitsburg Town Hall Association, or a charity of choice through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 28, at 10:00 at the Waitsburg City Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Town Hall at 11:30, with lunch following.

The family is extremely grateful to the excellent, compassionate care that Patty received at Angie's Angels and Parkview Memory Care.