Patrick Plunkett

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Patrick Plunkett (Pat) and his lovely wife Carol Plunkett. Pat was born on February 2, 1938, in Wallace, Idaho to Geraldine and Harold (Sonny) Plunkett. He passed away after a brief illness on May 5, 2021, at age 83. Carol (nee Coulthard) was born on June 4, 1938, in Wilsey, Kansas to Bertha and John Swift. Irma and Fred Coulthard adopted her when she was 16 years old. Carol passed away after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s on May 17, 2025, at age 86. They had been married for 62 years when Pat passed away. Pat and Carol met in junior high, but didn’t start dating until high school. Pat was active in athletics and Carol was active in many clubs. After graduation, they attended college and were able to work at a job they both loved, as elementary school teachers. Pat started his teaching career in Wenatchee at Lewis and Clark school as a sixth-grade science teacher. He then moved to Columbia Elementary school as a fourth-grade teacher and also coached Pee Wee football. Carol started her career teaching second grade at Lincoln Elementary, where she was teacher of the year and remained in the same classroom her entire career. Both Pat and Carol were well respected and popular with students and other teachers. As teachers, Pat and Carol were able to spend their summers creating lots of happy memories with their children. Camping at Lake Chelan State Park, Big Creek, and Purple Point on Lake Chelan. They also camped along the Washington and Oregon coast, spending hours in the tide pools at Cannon Beach. For their summer “big” trip they would often drive to Disneyland or California’s Balboa Zoo. But on those trips, they also managed to stop and visit most of the National Parks of the western US. When Pat retired, he was able to pursue his two favorite hobbies, traveling and genealogy. He traveled through Europe, the Middle East, India, and SE Asia while Carol finished her last 2 years of teaching. Once Carol retired, they made numerous trips, traveling throughout Europe. One of their last trips together was a trip to China, spending some time at the Great Wall. Pat, at the age of 72 traveled to Machu Picchu and Brazil. They also spent their winters in sunny San Diego. During their first few years in San Diego, they stayed at motels but later purchased RVs and stayed at several RV parks, such as De Anza Cove and Campland on the Bay. While living there, they enjoyed meeting other people and also made some lifelong friends. Pat also spent hours researching genealogy and traveling to document both the Plunkett and Swift lineages. He was able to trace Plunkett roots back to the 14th century and Carol’s heritage to the 1600’s. Pat and Carol are survived by daughters Patti Plunkett (Dory Seitz) and Lyn Plunkett, Patrick’s brother Mike Plunkett, and sister Judy Pickering. Carol is survived by brother Larry Swift, sisters Betty York, Laura Knapp, Martha Rodman, Marie Richerson, and Mary Simpson. They both had many nieces, nephews, and cousins. There will be no funerals per Pat and Carols wishes. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the local Wenatchee Valley Humane Society or American Parkinson Disease Association. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Patrick Plunkett

February 2, 1938 - May 5, 2021