Patricia Kate Ford, 88, of Freeland, passed away Friday, April 13, 2012 at Home Place Special Care Center in Oak Harbor.

Patricia Ford was born in St. Paul, Minn., on March 4, 1924, to Leo L. and Mabel A. (Wing) Gessell. She was raised in Topeka, Kan., and graduated from high school in Fargo, N.D.

Patricia received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She was 42 when she received her degree.

Patricia married Robert Gordon “Bob” Ford on July 19, 1947. They were married 64 years. She enjoyed 22 years of Navy life with her husband, living in several locations. Before moving to the Freeland area in 2005, Pat and Bob resided in Aptos, Calif., for several years. Patricia enjoyed classical music, loved her dog, Cleo, and was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.

Patricia is survived by her husband, Robert “Bob” Ford in Oak Harbor (also at Home Place Special Care Center); her son, David Alexander Ford of Bloomsburg, Penn.; her daughter, Robin Kate Ford of Freeland; and her granddaughter, Miranda Kate Ford of Hellertown, Penn. She has a younger brother, Dick Gessell of Allendale, N.J., and two nieces, Nancy and Cynthia. She was preceded in death by her older brother John “Jack” Gessell two years earlier.

A memorial service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations are suggested to be sent to the Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation (WAIF), P.O. Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.