Patti grew up in Susanville, CA and later she attended Lassen College. That’s where she met Earl Bolton, who was soon to become her loving husband and lifelong friend.
In 1963, she, Earl, and their young son Neal moved to Esparto, California, where she continued her career, teaching Kindergarten to an entire generation of young boys and girls who were blessed to have their first school experience be with a teacher who loved them and was loved in return. 1964 proved to be a busy year for Patti, with a new home, a new job, and another son, Gregg. Patti was a wonderful wife and mother.
Patti continued developing her teaching skills and education, for many years attending night classes and summer school at Chico State University, and later at UC Davis. She also took numerous teacher development courses, most of which had something to do with nature and outdoors.
Patti loved to fish, camp, garden, hike, and paint. She truly loved being outside.
After retiring from teaching, Patti and her family moved to Grangeville, Idaho, where she spent many years continuing to work alongside Earl in his gunsmithing shop.
Patti and Earl moved to Gallatin Gateway (near Bozeman), Montana, to be near Neal and his family.
Earl passed away in Idaho (although they were still living in Montana). Shortly after Earl died, Patti moved back toward Grangeville, buying a home in Clarkston, Washington. Patti was a 1-man woman and her husband’s death was a real blow.
She continued living in Clarkston for several years, then moved to Hendersonville, Tennessee to be near Gregg and his family. Patti lived there and in the Nashville area for many years until her death.
Patti is survived by her two boys and their families, including numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She touched many lives with her giving heart and sweet personality. We will all miss her sense of adventure. We will miss her love of laughter. We will miss her.
According to her wishes, Patti was cremated and her ashes placed in a special area near Nashville, Tennessee, and near Grangeville, Idaho where Earl’s ashes had been scattered many years earlier.
