Patricia (Pat) Marie Breese, 71, died on Feb. 6, 2023, in Seattle, surrounded by loved ones after a battle with cancer.
She was born on May 14, 1951, in Mitchell, South Dakota. She moved with her family to Ketchikan before she entered high school.
She graduated from Ketchikan High School in 1969 and married William (Bill) Breese during a blizzard in December 1970. They had two children, and resided on Pennock Island.
“She enjoyed the remote lifestyle of Southeast Alaska and explored it in home-built boats collecting history from many locations she visited in old books, stories, and photographs,” her family wrties.
Mrs. Breese was involved with the Ketchikan community and enjoyed helping people — traits that were reflected in her work.
She worked as a telephone operator, election worker, census worker, an EMT trainer, hospice care provider, kidney dialysis technician, for the Alaska ferry system, and in tourism. She also worked for the Southeast Island School District, traveling to logging camps throughout Southeast Alaska teaching cold-water survival to all ages.
“An avid crafter, she had tried almost every handicraft, was proficient at many, and was always happy to share her knowledge and crafted items with others,” her family writes.
She remained connected to family in South Dakota, visiting them and her amateur radio friends across the United States.
Mrs. Breese is survived by her husband, William Breese; children, Justin Breese and Alisa Bolander, and their families.
Her remains have been cremated and will be spread in the place she loved.