Patricia "Pat" Ann Macier

Patricia "Pat" Ann Macier August 24, 1943-September 15, 2023

Pat Macier passed peacefully in her home in Shelton, WA on Sep. 15, 2023, at the age of 80. Her parents were William Macier and Ruth (Taylor) Macier. Pat was born in Detroit, MI August 24, 1943. Sometime later, the family moved to St. Ignace, MI and a log cabin in the upper peninsula of MI. Pat was very proud of being a "Yooper" and of her Danish heritage. Her childhood was spent fishing in Lake Michigan and surrounding lakes and streams and hunting in the surrounding forests with her father, Bill.

White fish boils and wild game were a family staple. Her grade school years were spent in a three room school with kindergarten through eighth grades which she fondly referred to as "Gros Cap One and Only".

Upon graduating from LaSalle High School, Pat returned to Detroit and Marygrove College. She graduated in 1965, with a BA in biology and chemistry. She obtained a BSN from Seattle University in 1971. In 1977, she obtained a Master in Nursing from the University of Washington in Maternal/Child Health. Pat served in the Air Force Nurse Corps reserve from 1972-1980.

Pat started her nursing career at Seattle Children's Hospital. She worked many years in public health, maternal/child health both locally and at the WA State Department of Health. She retired as a nursing consultant in the Washington State Crime Victims Compensation Program. Her work always focused on the health and well being of children and their families.

On the west coast, she met Judy Maire, who became a lifelong friend, traveling companion and housemate. Pat was embraced by the Maire family and was regarded as an informally adopted daughter, sister and aunt. Though she had no children of her own she "adopted" and nourished relationships with many of Judy's nieces and nephews, who will have lifetime memories of cuddling with Pat in her cozy bed as she read them her favorite children's classics. Judy and Pat hiked, fished, back packed and, in later years, enjoyed frequent car camping and picnics in parks.

They travelled to Europe and to Denmark which was a high point for Pat. They enjoyed train, boat and road trips to Yellowstone National Park, southern California to visit relatives and friends, Canada, Florida and of course Michigan. There were boat trips to Alaska and in April, 2019 a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi.

Pat enjoyed cooking, music, science and history and shared her passion with her friends and family as she also loved to educate. Stories of drosophila (fruit-fly) in the lab, manatees in the canals of Florida, how to cook the perfect steamer clam, and acronyms for memorizing the Great Lakes were common topics of conversation.

Not enough can be said for the health care providers and administrators from Synergy HomeCare for the caring and love they showed both Pat and Judy. The same is true of the Providence Hospice care givers who eased Pat's passing immeasurably.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her cousins Barbara (Michael) Thorson of Midland, MI and Frank (Betty) Swartz of Clarkston, MI. She is also survived by Judy and the Maire Clan including Peggy, Janet, John and Patty and special nieces and nephews and her beloved cat, Dahli.

Pat was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church in Shelton for over 50 years. A memorial Mass is scheduled at noon on Nov. 30, 2023 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Shelton, WA. A reception will follow after Mass to share stories and memories. Donations can be made to any food bank. Pat will be interred with her parents in St. Ignace, MI in the spring. Arrangements by McComb and Wagner Funeral Home.