Patricia Catherine Blakeway

Patricia Blakeway, 88, passed away in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma on March 15, 2025 after suffering a tragic fall at her residence in Olympia, WA.

She was an only child born to ElRoy Meyer and Esther (Norby) Meyer. Her parents called her by her nickname, Patsy. Patricia (Pat) is preceded in death by her loving husband, Kenneth Dale Blakeway, and her sons, Roy and Phillip Blakeway; and her grandson Michael Blakeway.

Patricia was born in Long Beach, California. Her father was a seaman in the Navy, and her mother was a seamstress. In her early years, she lived in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In her teen years, she attended school in Bellingham, Washington and was involved in several high school theatre plays. Shortly after graduating, Pat met the love of her life and married Kenneth Dale Blakeway, in Bellingham. They were married for 37 years until he passed away in 1993 at the early age of 59. During those 37 years, they renewed their wedding vows three times. During Dale’s career in the Marine Corps, the family moved 27 times back and forth across the United States.

At a very young age, Pat developed a love of gemstones. She would go on adventures with her father to find agates. Her father had a workshop with rock tumblers and equipment, and he made several beautiful pieces of gemstone jewelry for her and her mother. Later in life, her love of gemstones and jewelry motivated Pat to achieve a degree as a diamond consultant and gemologist. She sold jewelry at Ben Bridge, Kluhs Jewelers, and JC Penney in the fine jewelry department.

The people who knew Pat well, would describe her as a classy lady with lots of “bling” and always had a wonderful sense of humor! Even in her past hospital visits and final days, she could make everyone laugh with her quick wit and animated storytelling. She wasn’t afraid to tell it like it is, with a vivacious personality and sparkling style that commanded a room.

Pat held fast to her beliefs, her faith and devotion to God, remaining an active member of the Good Shepherd Church for many years. She cherished her friendship with Chris Anderson. She remained sharp as she aged, recalling vivid memories of her childhood and the good ole days, but still maintained a balanced perspective and learned to adapt as the world changed through the years. She loved to travel and went on 30 cruises to several countries around the world. Cruising kept her spirit young, peaking her curiosity about other cultures, and filling her photo albums with creativity and treasured pictures. Pat also enjoyed rubberstamping and scrapbooking and attending plays at the Olympia Little Theatre.

Pat was a sentimental person, holding onto many precious items throughout the decades that others would toss to the side, unaware of their historical value. She even saved miniature furniture from her first doll house and her grandma’s first baby cross. She was also a skillful seamstress and would stitch and sew every last hole or tear in an items of clothing or her God dog’s stuffed animals if meant it could bring others joy for longer.

Above all, she will be remembered for her incredible talent in the kitchen! Family events, camping trips, sports tournaments and holidays were always filled with Pat’s turtle bars, Mexican wedding cakes, ham and bean soup, tacos, and pancakes with homemade strawberry freezer jam. Cooking was her love language, bringing her great pride and satisfaction.

Her presence on earth will be missed, but her spirit will live on in her daughters Cathy (Blakeway) Douglas and Cyndi (Blakeway) Cox. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Michelle (Bass) Camren, Cathy (Bass) McRae, Patricia Breanne Holcomb, James Douglas, Katherine Cox, Kristine (Cox) Loy; and several grandchildren, bonus grandchildren and great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; and 1 precious God dog, Ivory Jean Marie.

A viewing is scheduled for March 29, 2025 at Funeral Alternatives located at 2830 Willamette Dr. NE, Suite G, Lacey, WA 98516. A memorial and internment is scheduled for April 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church located at 1601 North Street SE, Olympia, WA.