Patricia Lisoskie Obituary

Patricia Louise Lisoskie

May 8, 1934 - August 3, 2024

La Jolla, California - Pat Lisoskie passed peacefully on August 3, 2024 in La Jolla, California, surrounded by her family. Pat is survived by her children: Debora Crichton, Peter Lisoskie(Patricia Fay), Adrienne Lisoskie, and Andy Lisoskie(Cassio Cappelossa); her grandchildren: Kas, Kai, Arielle, Keely, Conrad, Mackenzie, Nolan and Channing; and one sister, Mitzi Simonelli. She joins her husband, Peter Lisoskie, her daughter, Michelle (Shelly) Lisoskie.

Pat grew up as 'Patty Smith' in Muskegon, Michigan. There she learned her core values from depression era parents who owned a drugstore with a pharmacy and old-fashioned soda (ice cream) fountain. Pat exhibited a genuine interest in science at an early age. She attended Michigan State University (MSU) and was one of two women in her class graduating with a B.S. in Botany. She married Peter (Pete) Lisoskie in 1956.

She returned to teaching in 1967, after having four children. She served on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) board, earned her master's degree from PLU, and won the President's Award for Teaching (PAT) in 2000. During this time, she also had a fifth child. Pat continued her teaching career by mentoring student teachers in the St. Martin's University program.

Pat loved to travel. Her travels included Japan, Australia, Africa, China, Turkey, Russia, and multiple countries in Western Europe. She spent the last years of her life in the San Diego area, closer to her children.

Pat was a kind and giving person and a great listener. She could talk for hours, was a voracious reader, and loved to go to lectures especially those associated with science, medical advancements, human rights, species preservation, or biological ecosystems. She was an avid supporter of the preservation of the Nisqually Delta, Wolf Haven, human rights campaigns and even participated in a march on the steps at the Capitol building in Olympia for LGBTQ rights. While she never wavered from her delight in teaching, she always said that her best 'job' was being a Mom.

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