Vivian O. Loken

Vivian O. (Patrick) Loken was born June 19, 1926, on Walker Street in Wenatchee, the third of eight children born to Rueben and Elizabeth (Pace) Patrick. Mom peacefully closed her weary eyes for the last time on May 11, 2012, with loving daughters, Connie and Susan, by her side, in her own home, as she had wished. She received her formal education in East Wenatchee, Monitor and Cashmere schools through the 11th grade, before leaving to help contribute to the family. Times were tough during those years, but she still maintained many fond memories. As a child, she enjoyed spending time with her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins at the family home, located at the site of current day Costco. Mom had fond memories of picking strawberries with her grandma, large family gatherings on Sundays and swimming in the ditch next to the family home. She also told stories of siblings packed into the old family truck for a long ride to the country for a picnic and floating down the Wenatchee River on an inner tube (and she didn't even know how to swim)! During the War, she was married and had a son, Rodger Daugherty. She met and, in 1952, married Larry Loken and three girls were born of this union, Bonita, Connie and Susan. Larry's daughter, Linda, also joined the family. Mom started working at an early age and worked hard all her life, holding jobs in a dress shop, telephone operator, seamstress and the fruit industry and made many lifetime friends through her work. All her life, she enjoyed dancing and, at an early age, demonstrated her natural talents with her self-taught tap dance steps. She often told the story of tap dancing on a local radio program at the old Liberty Theater. She also enjoyed reading, watching old black and white classic romance movies, listening to music, planting flowers and cooking great meals. Mom loved to sew. With her skillful, loving hands, she patiently created pillows, curtains and other hand-sewn treasures that turned a house into a home. She made many of our school clothes. We still have the Barbie doll clothes she made. She loved being a mother and doted on her grandkids. Not only a wonderful mother, she was the best of friends, always calmly listening with an open mind and sympathetic heart, never judging. Mom had a gentle, tranquil soul, yet, even as her body weakened and became frail, her strong will and inner strength never waned. Survivors include her children, Rodger Daugherty of Nice, France and Bonita Cooper, Connie (Dean) Ames and Susan (Randy) Price, all of East Wenatchee; step-daughter, Linda of Starbuck, WA; three grandchildren, Amy, Brian and Carissa; three great-grandchildren, Viviana, Espi and Eva; sisters, Ruby Bailey, Betty (Bob) Fries, Shirley Woods, Gail (Bob) Brim; and brother, Mike (Barb) Patrick. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; sister, Mildred; and brother, Bill. Connie and Susan wish to give thanks to Barb (you were wonderful), Ginny, Mark and the Hospice team, and volunteers, Janet and Lois, all for helping mom to remain in her own home. At her request, there will be No Services. From one of her favorite poems: I love the beauty of the scene, Would roam again o'er fields so green; But since I may not, let me spend My strength for others to the end, For those who tread on rock and stone, And bear their burdens all alone, Who loiter not in leafy bowers, Nor hear the birds nor pluck the flowers. A larger kindness give to me A deeper love and sympathy; Then, O, one day May someone say - Remembering a lessened pain - "Would she could pass this way again." ~ By Eva Rose York Oh, mom, how much we're going to miss you!

Vivian O. Loken

June 19, 1926 - May 11, 2012