PATRICIA LYNN DORAN

Patricia “Pat” Lynn Doran died at age 66 on Wednesday, November 23, in Mount Vernon, after some health challenges.

She was born on August 8, 1950, to Charles and Betty Keller in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in Lakeview, Michigan and lived there until she left to study art in college.

Pat met her husband to be, Terry, at age 18, while attending Ferris State University in Michigan. They quickly fell in love and were ready for an adventure. They were married in 1970 and soon after joined the “VISTA” Volunteers in service to America program. This humbling experience led them into low-income inner cities to establish programs for youth.

They traveled west for two years and ended up in the Skagit Valley, where they made their home. Pat was an avid artist, jewelry maker and loved animals. She made a career of serving as curator and registrar for the Skagit County Historical Museum for more than 25 years.She loved this job and was very focused on telling the stories of local people and preserving artifacts for the generations to come. She made many friends in the community and loved to share the love of arts and history with enthusiasm.

She was a member of the La Conner Arts Commission and active in “Art’s Alive!” and many other local programs to support art.

She had two granddaughters that she loved and spoiled.

Pat was preceded in death by her father and her husband. She is survived by her mother, Betty Keller of Florida; her daughter Sarah (Jose) Rodriguez and granddaughters Kloe and Paige, all of Mount Vernon; brothers Michael Keller of Michigan and William Keller of Florida; brother-in-law Michael (Margo) Doran of Washington; nieces and nephews Scott, Katy, Zachary, Madi, Klyle, Cassie, Jeasen and Anji.

She was laid to rest at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery on Monday, December 5, with Kern Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, 18841 Kelleher Rd., Burlington, WA 98233. Family and friends may sign an online registry and leave notes at http://www.kernfuneralhome.com