Pat Arvin Dies at 84; Was Longtime Sitkan

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Friday, 08 April 2022 13:13

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Faye Berniel Arvin (Pat)

Faye Berniel Arvin (Pat) was born June 26, 1937, in Brownsville, Oregon. When she was two, her family moved to Sitka. 

She married Bobby Warren on Sept. 2, 1956, and they had three girls – Teresa, Ronda, and Bonnie. She later married Smokey Gove, on July 3, 1964, and they had a daughter and a son, Shirlene and Ronald. She married Paul Arvin on Nov. 25, 1966, and gained three sons, Roy, Stephen, and Thomas. Together they had a girl, Jennifer, making it a family of 11! It was quite the feat when they first married, as they lived in a tiny, two-bedroom apartment. In 1967 they were able to buy a house on Observatory Street that was big enough to live comfortably with all their kids.

Pat was always close to her parents and moved into their house on Halibut Point Road to help care for them in their final years. She lived there until her death on April 4, 2022. 

Most may remember Pat from Sitka Community Hospital. She started her career there in the laundry department, then worked as a nurses aide and X-ray tech. She ended her career as a ward clerk, retiring in 1990. Her knack for multitasking and problem-solving made her a valuable coworker.

Pat was very involved with the Women of the Moose. She loved making their 4th of July floats, and enlisted the help of her children to stuff tissue in chicken wire. Her love of the 4th carried on as she made many costumes for grandchildren to wear in the parade.

Pat was later active in the Emblem Club at the Elks Lodge. She loved being a part of June’s Ladybugs cook crew once a month for years.

Pat was an avid bowler. Her dad, Al Richter, sponsored a team named Al’s Gals. The team included her mom, Lois Richter, her sister, Shirley Burkhart, and two of her daughters, Ronda Anderson and Teresa Robinson. Albert was their biggest fan.

Pat always enjoyed helping to plan a party. She loved going to the Sitka Picnic in Edmonds, Washington, which is still held on the first Sunday of August every year. It was always fun for her to get together with old friends, including Frank and Sylvia Deiner, as well as the whole Price family.

Pat enjoyed helping plan her class reunions well into her 70s, and still got together with several friends for lunch once a month. Pat and her sister, Shirley, loved dressing up for Alaska Day and selling tickets at the door for the Ball.

Pat struggled with memory loss toward the end of her life, but could still bring a smile. She and Shirley spoke on the phone almost every day. Auntie B, as everyone knows her, could always make her laugh.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Lois Richter. 

She is survived by her older sister, Shirley Burkhart, and her younger brother, Wayne Richter, as well as her life-long friends Georgia B. (Price) and Mickey Adams. 

Her children will always remember her as the BEST mom in the world and her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as great-great grandchildren adored her. She will truly be missed by  all: Teresa and Scott Robinson (Amy and Paul- Sydney, Samantha, Sebastian and Tenlee; Andrea- Trevin and Teagan; Ashlee and Eric- Isaiah, Cooper, and Jack; Alex- Layla.)

 Her great-great-grandchildren- Kaylix, Kali, and Cambria (Sydney). Ronda and Roy Anderson (Lindsey and Keith; Elliott). Bonnie Jean Patton and Darrell Howard (Christopher; Chelsey and Billy- Dominick and Grace; Corie and Kevin- Kaleb and Camden). Shirlene and Scott Jensen (Roni Sue and Russell- Ryleigh, Collin, Mitchell, and Lincoln; Nicole; Nicholas). Ronald and Nina Arvin (Nova- Otto; Ayla; Kyia). Jennifer and Marty Erwin (Jessica; Abigail, and Tabitha). Thomas and Maggie Arvin (Jason, Josh and Kris- Ava, Mika, and Jude; Monica and Jose). Roy and Sandra (Michael and Johanna- Kimberly, Gemma, and Mila; Alicia and partner-Tyler and Mackenzie). Stephen and Marla Arvin. 

“We would like to give a huge thank you to Ruth Culp, a dear family friend and member of Brave Heart. In lieu of flowers, we ask that any donations be made to Brave Heart, her family said.

“Please help us remember mom by wearing your brightest colors, and if so inclined a Beehive or French Roll Updo to her Celebration of Life. Join us for appetizers, cake and ice cream at the Elks Lodge, Monday, April 11, at 4 p.m.” 

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