Patricia Ann Vessey, 75

On October 11, 2008, our beloved wife, mother, and sister’s life on this earth came to an end.

She was born February 19, 1933 in Grangeville to Perle and Dorothy Henderson Skinner.

Patricia moved from place to place in her younger years. At an early age, she had lived at the Chamberlain Basin on the Salmon River; near the Badly place, also located on the Salmon River for quite sometime; and also lived in Dixie for approximately two years where she went to a one roomed school house that still stands to this day. She also lived with her grandparents, Carl and Margaret Henderson on the South Fork of the Clearwater River. She eventually settled in Stites where she started the 5th grade at the old school house in Stites and finished her schooling there.

She enjoyed staying home and was very independent and minded her own business. She took care of her family and always told them the better ways of handling things. She loved hummingbirds and everyday she would sit in her back yard and watch them fly around her, allowing her to relax and get away from all of the stressful things. Patricia also loved horses. She was a horse enthusiast and owned one since she was two years old. Another love was being involved in the Grangeville Border Days where in 1949, she was named Border Days Princess.

Patricia married her high school sweetheart, Freddie R. Vessey, on August 15, 1951, and they had three children. They were blessed with their first son, Russell, and not long after, Robin, and soon after, Reuben. Freddie and Patricia were married for 57 years. For two years of their marriage, her husband was drafted into the Korean War with occupational services over in Germany. During that time, Patricia resided with Freddie’s parents, Fred and Nelly Vessey on Battle Ridge Road at the old Vessey Ranch. It was definitely a struggle for her, but she got through it.

Patricia is survived by her three sons, Russell of Battle Ridge (Stites area), Robin of Woodland (Kamiah area), and Reuben of Stites; husband, Freddie of Stites; grandchildren, Danielle and Mary Ann of Kamiah, Alan of Battle Ridge, Nicholas of Winchester, and Marie Edlemon of Spokane; one sister, Carly Key of Grangeville; a first cousin, Barbra Brotnov of Clearwater, and numerous other relatives and loved ones.

May her soul rest in peace. We love you grandma.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at Fairview Cemetery near Grangeville.

Arrangements are under the direction of Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.