Patricia (Pat) Bothwell – A woman of faith and perseverance

Jesus called Patricia (Pat) Bothwell to her heavenly home on
Monday, July 9, 2007.
She was born to Vernon (deceased) and Leona Moeller of
Bolingbrook, IL and has a sister, Catherine Orseske of Somonauk,
IL. She attended Joliet Junior College and Illinois State
University, where she graduated in December 1973 with a degree in
Psychology and a new husband, James (Jim), whom she married
September 1, 1973. They moved to Bolingbrook to be near Pat’s
parents and help care for her father who suffered from Multiple
Sclerosis. On May 13, 1976, son, Jason, was born while Pat was
getting her Montessori teaching credential from Seton Montessori
School in Clarendon Hills. Pat was on staff at Seton for three
years until daughter, Jessica, was born on Feb. 7, 1979. The
Bothwells moved to Fort Wayne, IN in May 1979 so Jim could start
his four-year seminary training. Pat taught at Marin Luther King
Montessori School during the last two years there. After
graduation, they were called to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in
Healdsburg, CA in 1983. During this time, Pat was a homemaker and
mother. In 1989, she entered the California Teacher Credential
Program at Sonoma State University and received her teaching
credential in June 1992. She taught kindergarten in the Healdsburg
school district from 1994 until her retirement in 2001. In
September 2001, they moved to San Lorenzo, CA as Jim was called to
be Senior Pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church and school. In the
summer of 2002, Pat became ill with what was later diagnosed as
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP-Dudley Moore disease). Pat will
be remembered as a woman of faith who suffered this disease with
grace and dignity, but also as one who lived with hope. Her spirit
of warmth, care and acceptance touched everyone who met her and she
was a wonderful example of one who lives life to its fullest
measure each day. She was able to be home throughout her illness
and walked peacefully on the arm of Jesus to heaven on July 9. A
service of celebration of her faith and life will be held at
Calvary Lutheran on July 21 at 11 a.m. with a fellowship luncheon
afterward.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Lutheran Ministries, 17200 Via
Magdalena, San Lorenzo, CA 94580, to Hospice, or to your local
congregation’s educational ministry.