Patricia Phillips

Patricia Phillips

Jan.16, 1933-Nov. 11, 2023

Patricia "Pat" Cline Phillips passed away Saturday ,Nov. 11, 2023, at age 90.

Pat was born in Spokane on Jan. 16, 1933, to parents Russel and Mabel Cline. At the time, her father worked for the Spokesman-Review in Spokane. However, as this was the early years of the depression, he was soon out of a job and so the family moved near Kahlotus to join Russel's father, Emery Cline, on the farm.

Pat spent the first nine years of her life on that farm, within walking distance of the Sandhills, a frequent and favorite spot to play for both Pat and her younger brother Dick.

In 1942, they lost the lease on that farm and were able to acquire a lease on another property 7 miles south of Lind.

The family resided there until 1950, when Russel and Mabel built a home in Lind.

Pat graduated from Lind high school in 1951, and from there went on to Washington State College (later to become Washington State University) in Pullman.

By attending summer school, she completed her degree in elementary education in 3 years. Her first teaching job was in Othello, teaching second grade.

In December of 1954, she married Loren Woodside, recently out of the Navy. Together, they lived in Othello, where Loren worked for the Rural Electric Association as a lineman.

In the fall of 1957 Pat's father's health was declining, so Loren stepped in to take over the farm and they moved back to Lind.

They raised their three children on the same farm where Pat spent much of her childhood. While her children were pre-school age, Pat took time off from teaching to focus on raising her family and also started taking classes at Eastern Washington State College (later Eastern Washington University) toward her library certificate, and eventually her master's degree in education.

In 1966, she started working part-time as the Lind grade school librarian. This soon led to a full-time position managing both the Lind grade school and high school libraries.

Pat and Loren were married until 1978.

Pat then took a job in Burbank, Wash. managing the grade school and high school libraries there. In December of 1981, she married Bob Phillips.

Pat retired from her library/teaching career in 1995.

She enjoyed gardening, especially roses. She was active in the state library society. She was part of the Tri-Cities Story Tellers Guild, an investment club, PEO, and for many years a book club which often met in her home. She was an avid reader.

During her summer breaks from teaching, she spent time sewing. She also enjoyed cross-stitching, crossword puzzles and craft work including copper art.

She treasured her time with family and grandchildren. She could be counted on for gifts of books.

For decades she was an active member of the Methodist church. Bob and Pat enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Australia and to England/Scotland.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Bob Phillips. She is survived by her brother Richard (Dick) Cline of Santa Barbara, Calif .; three children, daughter Kathryn (Joe) Ralli of Westbrookville, N.Y., son, Scott Woodside of Kennewick; and daughter, Lori (Curtis) King of Burbank, Wash, along with four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to honor her life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to WSU Foundation with the memo stating: WSU Tri-Cities Endowed Pat Phillips Scholarship Fund; mailing address: WSU Tri-Cities, ATTN Office of Advancement, 2710 Crimson Way, Richland, WA 99354.