Patricia Dorothy Pembroke Waltmire Zennie passed away Nov. 17, surrounded by her closest friends and family. She was the picture of iron will, always displaying an elegant grace as she faced down a reoccurring battle with breast cancer.

Patricia “Pat” was born June 27, 1928, in Sacramento, Calif., the daughter of Ross V. Loughran and D. Pembroke. Pat was orphaned at an early age, a history she rarely discussed. She was raised by a collection of relatives in Pueblo, Colo., and Sacramento. Her grandmother, a devout Catholic, saw to it that she attended a parochial school and Mass every Sunday. That education left a lasting mark on her path through life.

After high school, she attended college and worked at the Signal Depot, where she met and married James (Jim) J. Tackman an Army airman. When his service was complete, they moved to the Tackman family’s homestead in the Central Oregon desert. Their two sons, James (Jamie) and William (Bill), were born there. Jim was hired as the foreman of the 96 Ranch, and the foreman position included a cook. Pat, having never cooked in her life, was thrown into the job of ranch cook for 14 hungry hired men. Food for the crew showed up in a semi trailer, and when they set out 500 pounds of potatoes, she knew this was a different world! She loved to brag that she had cooked every recipe in the Betty Crocker cookbook.  In the late 50s, they scraped together a down payment on the Half Circle Bar Ranch in Burns. Pat loved the ranch life. They raised cattle, sheep, and the two boys. They sold the ranch in the early 70s, Jim and Pat parted ways, and she started a new part of her life.

Always having a great eye for design, she started a shop selling jewelry, carpet, and art, which led to a job in Bend, where she met and married Ted Zennie. A lumber salesman, his work had them living throughout the West. They traveled extensively, living life to its fullest. They found a “retirement” home in Baker City, but failed to retire. Working in Sacramento, Ted was stricken with cancer. Upon his passing, Pat returned to Baker City. Life in Baker City took some adjustment, but as with all things, she was a glass-half-full person, and quickly went about building a new life, collecting friends as she went. Chuck Risley, the good neighbor, became a good friend, and later her partner. A longtime Baker City resident, he broadened her horizons, introducing her to the fine art of shuffle board, the relaxing pastime of summers spent camping near Sumpter, and the camaraderie of the VFW.

Pat is survived by her partner, Chuck Risley; two sons; a granddaughter, Katherine (Katie) Tackman; daughter-in-law, Polly Feehan; and  partner-in-law, Katie Haven.

She was preceded in death by Sally Shoemaker, and all of her husbands.

A celebration of Pat’s life, with a meal prepared by the VFW Auxiliary, will be held at the Veterans Memorial Club in Baker City, Saturday, Dec. 1 at 3 p.m.

The last few months of her life were a true test for all, and the burden of that test was eased by the incredible help of the fine people of Heart n’ Home Hospice. If you are inclined to offer a remembrance, please do so in the form of a monetary contribution to Heart n’ Home Hospice or the VFW through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, Oregon, 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com