Patricia Ann Boswell

Patricia Ann Boswell, who taught for more than three decades at Grandview elementary schools and spent her retirement years volunteering at her church, attending club meetings and having coffee with friends, died Saturday, Oct. 12, surrounded by family and friends at Sunnyside Community Hospital. She was 76.

Patti was born on Nov. 30, 1942, in Brainerd, Minn., to John and Violet Hamilton. During World War II, the family moved to Bremerton, Wash., where Patti’s parents worked at the Naval shipyards. After the war, the family moved to Ephrata, where her father worked as an electrician. Patti graduated from Ephrata High School in 1961. She attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education.

She began teaching at Smith Elementary School in Grandview in 1965. After one year teaching third grade, she moved to Harriet Thompson Elementary School, where she taught second grade for 31 years until her retirement in 1997.

It was in her year at Smith Elementary School that she met her husband, Dell, who was teaching fourth grade. The two were married on June 8, 1966, and they enjoyed 51 years of marriage before Dell passed on Oct. 15, 2017.

Patti enjoyed golfing with Dell on courses throughout the state of Washington and the two were often partners on the tennis court. Patti also loved her extended family at Bethany Community Church in Grandview, where she attended for 40-plus years. She volunteered with youth programs, served as a deacon and was active in the women’s association.

Patti also was active in service and social activities in Grandview, most notably Delta Kappa Gamma, the Nouvella Club and PEO. She loved to visit her nieces and nephews and their families.

Patti is survived by her brother-in-law Byron (Enedina) Boswell of Grandview and her nieces and nephews: Nina (Craig) Staszkow of Moscow, Idaho; Jared (Lindsay) Boswell of Yakima; Tiffany Boswell of Pullman; Lydia (Stan) Douglas of Lynnwood; Roger (Sharon) Hamilton of Riverside, Calif., Brenda Knobbe of Hawkins, Texas; Cindy Eiland of Claremont, Calif.; Lora (Steve) Hammon of Everett; and Adelle (Sean) Stubblefield of Elma; and numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Violet, her brother, Albin Hamilton, and her husband, Dell.

A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1, at Bethany Community Church, Grandview. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to Bethany Community Church or Habitat for Humanity. Those wishing to sign Patti’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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