May 09, 1939--November 24, 2019
Patty passed away peacefully at her home on Lake Burien with her husband Jon by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. John H. and Eloise V. McClain. Patty is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dr. Jon R. Almquist; her son, Jon Jr. (Janine) and her sister, Kathy McClain (Chuck).
Born in Seattle at Ballard Hospital, Patty grew up on Sunset Hill and Blue Ridge. She attended Forest Ridge then Ballard High School where she became Girls Club President, received other academic honors and met her husband, Jon (Dick) who was President of the Senior Class and received academic honors before attended Yale. Patty graduated valedictorian in 1957. She attended Seattle University with the dream of becoming an R. N. like her grandmother. Shortly before receiving her cap, she changed her major to Zoology, did a 5th year and graduated summa cum laude receiving the Presidents Cup in 1962. Patty then received a Fellowship to the University of Rhode Island where she continued her academics eventually moving to New Haven to be with Jon. She began working in the Pharmacology Department of Yale School of Medicine where she did cancer research. Patty and Jon married in 1963 and welcomed their son, Jon Jr. in late March of 1965. After Jon completed Medical School, they returned to Seattle with their newborn in tow for Jon’s residency in Pediatrics at the U.W. Patty loved being a mother.
Her life changed abruptly in October of 1966 during a trip to British Columbia. Patty suffered a neck injury in an auto accident leaving her tetraplegic. She was brought to the University Hospital where she spent the next year of her life. Patty then came home to her husband and son and began their life’s journey together while Jon finished his residency and began private practice. The extreme challenges in maintaining their loving and productive life would not have been possible without Patty’s acute sense of medicine, the will to continue to experience life with her husband and her son and especially her husband’s formidable loyalty, unwavering commitment and relentless work ethic in giving Patty a life with every opportunity to participate in family gatherings, social events, dinners, theatre and the movies. She received the best medical care the community had to offer along with her husband’s medical expertise. Patty carefully chose attendants who could serve as her companion and care provider. These individuals were wonderful and an integral part of the family. The care she received allowed Patty to live and function, surrounded by love, much longer than she, her husband and medicine ever thought possible.
Patty loved reading, music (former piano player), PBS, being with friends and family and especially being a mother. She enjoyed helping others in ways she could and served on the Advisory Board of KCTS, the Consumer Advisory Council for the Research and Training Center at the U.W. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and served on the adult education committee for her church. Patty will forever be celebrated for her grace, beauty, kindness and her devotion to others.
Her life was enriched by her friendships with family and friends and the lifelong love and support of her sister, Kathy. She appreciated and respected the fabulous medical care and help she received by outstanding physicians and nurses including Dr. Walter Stolov, Dr. Lucy Sutphen, Dr. Christopher Knight, Dr. Joshua Benditt, Dr. Maria Reyes, Dr. Ravi Moonka, Dr. Ken Jaffe and Vi Ost, R.N.
Patty radiated love, joy, compassion and understanding. There truly was, and never will be, another quite like her. Patty and Jon’s legacy is their life lived, as no other. Words cannot begin to explain her life, nor her husband’s, but she will forever be loved and celebrated every day, and then some.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Patty’s honor may be made to Planned Parenthood, NARAL, the U.W. School of Medicine Department of Rehabilitation or a charity of your choice.
A celebration of Patty’s life will be held at a later date.