J. Patricia Yenney

Joan Patricia Yenney passed away on March 17th, 2017 surrounded by her loving family, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. She was 86 years old, but ever youthful and exuberant.

Patricia was born June 11, 1930 in Walla Walla to Georgia Meiners Remillard and Alfred Remillard. She and her parents lived in numerous communities throughout the Walla Walla valley as her dad worked for various wheat ranches. Her grandparents, Philip and Eleona Bergevin Remillard farmed and were part of the Frenchtown community. The Meiners family were early homesteaders who farmed in the Dixie foothills. She was raised to love horses, and was a talented horsewoman. Her first paying job was ponying race horses at the Fairgrounds. She attended area schools from Adams to Walla Walla.

She met Alan Taylor Yenney at Wa-Hi over a conversation about a good horse she had ridden. They married at the Yenney family home on April 23, 1951 on Russell Creek and lived a life surrounded by dogs, horses, cattle and goats as Alan worked with the Frazier family. A gifted musician, Pat played piano by ear, and could play any song you could hum. Her favorite times involved story telling, playing cards, singing songs and family and friends around the table.

Patricia had a unique education, a very busy mind, and a thirst for learning all of her days. She loved to have deep conversations about the twists and turns of life. From her colorful, kaleidoscope quilts to her notebooks filled with stories, she brought joy in what she did. She was a prolific writer, encouraging that gift in her offspring. She absolutely enjoyed people, was a shameless flirt, and no one was a stranger. She infused her love of life and joy of living into all she did. Her wonderful sense of humor, silliness and positive outlook sustained all who knew her. She was one of a kind in every way. She was the center of her family, and we who loved her will miss her spirit, but we know that she would want each of us to continue to carry her torch which burned so brightly.

As she embarks on her new adventure, she leaves behind friends too numerous to count, and a large family, as well. Her legacy includes daughters Susan Scott(Claude), Ann Caulk and Sara Erwin (Steven), all of Walla Walla; brothers Pierre Remillard (Sue) of Walla Walla and Jack Remillard (Sharon) of Pendleton; sisters-in-law Ellen Brewer of Pullman, Merilyn Ohlson (Gene) of Greenbank, Claudine Remillard and Debbie Remillard of Walla Walla. She is also survived by eight grandchildren -- Kate Engler, Maggie Youd, Jim Caulk, Emily Caulk, Sam Erwin, Joe Erwin, Allison Flabetich and Holly Reynolds. She had grandmotherly ties with her nieces and nephews, Mike Remillard, Joelle Bray, Tanner Remillard, Jenni Remillard, Mia Murray and Aaron Greene-Morse. She delighted in her eight great-grandchildren Ian and Jonah Engler, Will and Aubrey Youd, Jude and Lincoln Erwin, Isley Erwin, and Evelyn Flabetich. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Mike Remillard, ex-husband Alan Yenney, son Bobby, infant son Davey and infant great-granddaughter Laura Erwin.

The recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Thursday March 23, 2017 at 6:00PM at the chapel of the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, March 24, 2017 at 3:00PM at the Blue Mountain Community Church at 928 Sturm Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362. At her family's request, those who can attend the memorial service are asked to wear bright colors, bring a story, a picture, a poem, a joke or a song, and be prepared for a grand celebration as we honor this remarkable woman.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Seattle Children's Hospital or Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 Alder Street in Walla Walla.

Family and Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com