Patricia J (Sheets) Lee

Pat was born in Los Angeles, CA on February 4, 1929 to Goldie Wilson Sheets and Charles Sheets.

Patricia June 'Pat' Lee, 91 years of age, passed away in her sleep while in hospice care at the home of her daughter, Catherine Achenbach, in Vancouver, WA on Sunday, August 16, 2020.

Pat moved with her family to Oregon where she finished high school and went on to attend Oregon State University.  She earned a degree in Home Economics and received her elementary teaching certificate from Monmouth University. During college at OSU, Pat met Bud Lee while they were co-chairing a dance committee on campus. Bud asked Pat to the dance and they eventually married on September 1, 1951.

Pat taught elementary school while Bud finished college. They moved to Salem, Oregon when Bud began working for the Bureau of Land Management. While in Salem, Bud and Pat had 3 daughters.

In the early 60's, Bud was transferred to Prineville, Oregon. After the initial culture shock of moving to a small central Oregon town wore off for Pat, (she couldn't get over the cattle stopping traffic in the middle of the road!) she grew to love the lovely town and its welcoming people. In fact, Bud and Pat loved Prineville so much, when Bud was transferred to Montana, they eventually purchased land in the Prineville area on which they would build their retirement home.

Transferred to Billings, MT in 1966, Pat was a stay at home mom until she decided to go back to college to earn a Masters of Education in Reading at MSU-Billings. She become a Reading Specialist, teaching adult basic education. She primarily taught immigrants how to read so that they could earn their US citizenship and find jobs to support their families. A large portion of her student population were Vietnamese 'boat people'- refugees fleeing the war and sponsored by local families and churches in Billings. She found this work tremendously rewarding and was awarded Montana Teacher of the Year.

Pat was a 'joiner'. While living in Billings, she joined the local chapter of PEO, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Sweet Adelines, Delta Kappa Gamma (teaching sorority), and the League of Women Voters.

She and Bud took up golfing, bowling and cross country skiing with their friends.  As a family, they enjoyed camping, boating and water skiing.

Pat and Bud retired in 1985 to Prineville. They traveled the US in their trailer and joined Prineville friends to travel in Europe, Asia and Mexico. There wasn't a museum or fabric store anywhere that escaped Pat's attention. One would always find Bud and their traveling companions 'patiently' waiting on a bench outside as Pat read everything about every exhibit or looked at every piece of quilting fabric!

Pat enjoyed serving in PEO and Prineville Presbyterian Church. She was a member of Scribblers, a local writing group and took many quilting and painting classes. 

Most of all, Pat thrived on her friendships and treasured times spent with family and friends. She was a great storyteller, with her stories becoming more interesting every time they were told!

Pat is proceeded in death by her husband, Bud Lee, her brother, Neil Sheets and her parents.  

Pat is survived by her sister, Irene Damon of Troutdale, OR; her daughters and their spouses: Catherine and Lary Achenbach of Vancouver, WA, Lora and Bruce Whearty of Louisville, KY,  and Janice and Lee Hinze of Missoula, MT; 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons. 

Due to COVID, no public memorial service will be held. A small family gathering will take place in the future. 

Very special thanks to Pastor Mike Wilson and Prineville Presbyterian Church, the Prineville Chapter of PEO and Community Hospice of Vancouver, WA for the loving support of Pat and her family. 

Anyone wishing to contribute a memorial, please consider Prineville Presbyterian Church and the Prineville Chapter of PEO. Thank you.

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