Patricia (Pat) Ardis Nichols Vandewater May 29, 1919 - November 20, 2013

Pat (Nichols) Vandewater was born in unique circumstances at a logging camp in Yacolt, Washington, to parents Vern and Nina Nichols, May 29, 1919.

Maybe it was this rough start in life that gave her the grit and strength that carried her throughout her life.

Her childhood was marked by some challenges, including being abandoned by her mother at age 8 and subsequently being put in a foster home for nearly a year, when her mother returned from California to retrieve her.

Through these early years, Pat developed an ability to accept what life dished out, with a resilience which allowed her to see the positive side of any situation.

She was raised for most of her life in Portland, Oregon, attended Grant High School, and graduated from Parkrose High School.

She met Jim Vandewater when he was home in Portland for the summer during his college years studying at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. They were married October 4, 1940. During World War II, he served as a captain in the army in France. Prior to that, Pat followed him to a variety of army bases during training. Their first child, Judy, was born in 1944 and a second daughter, Pat, was born in 1947.

They raised their family in Portland and Jim worked in the wholesale paper industry.

He retired at age 62 so they could move to Central Oregon, where they built a home at Black Butte Ranch in 1977.

Jim was only allowed to enjoy his retirement there 4 years.

He passed at age 66.

Pat decided to stay on at Black Butte Ranch alone and continued there for another 30 years.

She shoveled snow, chopped kindling, and provided a warm and loving place for her kids and grandkids to come enjoy.

She was surrounded by a caring and tight-knit group of permanent residents who looked after each other.

She always marveled at what a wonderful place it was to live.

She loved Schnauzer dogs and could always be seen walking them around the Ranch.

Pat was a tireless giver. She volunteered in the Sisters Library, was a reader for the SMART program in the schools, ran the stationery department at the Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store, and taught bridge through COCC. In 1990 she was awarded Instructor of the Year. Pat was an avid reader and had carefully considered opinions on most issues. She was active in the Black Butte book club, sewing club, and art guild.

After Jim was gone, she developed a passion for travel and learning about other cultures. There was not much of the world she did not explore and she was always appreciative of the differences in the way other people live. She was never judgmental, but always interested in learning and experiencing.

Finally, at age 92, she independently made the decision to stop driving. The inevitable next step was to move from Black Butte to Touchmark, a retirement community in Bend. Once again she adjusted beautifully and thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of her friends and neighbors. Her ready smile was as infectious as they come and she was well-loved by all who knew her.

She leaves behind daughters Judy Schmidt (Gil) and Pat Vandewater, Jr. (Doug Corce); five grandchildren, Randy Schmidt, Jeff Schmidt, Elsa Loftis, Heidi Corce and Kyle Corce; and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her long and vibrant life will be held at the Camp Sherman Community Hall on Saturday, December 7, at 2 p.m. No flowers, please.