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Patricia Claire Stearns

Birth
Ryegate, Caledonia County, Vermont, USA
Death
2 Apr 2007 (aged 76)
Boise, Ada County, Idaho, USA
Burial
Cremated Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
PATRICIA STEARNS
1931-2007
Patricia C. Stearns, 76, of Boise, Idaho, passed away at home, peacefully in her sleep, Monday, April 2, 2007. Cremation is under the direction of Summers Funeral Home.

Pat was born in So. Ryegate, Vermont, Feb. 13, 1931, to Floyd M. and Marjorie (White) Stearns. Her father was killed during W.W. II, lost at sea when his ship was blown up in the Philippines. Pat grew up in So. Ryegate, graduating from nearby Wells River High School. Her education continued at the University of Vermont, switching to Dental Hygiene for the last two years.

One fun summer between college years, Pat and some college buddies worked on a dude ranch in Montana Pat, as the main cook!!! Following graduation (1953), it was that love of the West that made it easy for her to accept a job in Boise with the State of Idaho, Dept. of Dental Health. In Idaho, dental hygiene was still in its infancy. Over several years, Pat was instrumental in many programs started around the state, along with the formation of the Idaho Dental Hygienists Assn. in which she was later awarded a life membership. Involvement also included both the District and National levels. Life wasn't all work. Those were the early days of floating the Boise River (way before it became popular). There were lots of other fun times, leaving many good memories just imagine four young Vermont girls sharing an apartment in Hills Village!

In 1959 Pat received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington, and in 1966, a Masters in Dental Hygiene from Columbia University (New York). In 1968, with degrees in hand, Pat became the developer and first chairperson of the Department of Dental Hygiene at the University of Maryland Dental School. Under her direction, a baccalaureate degree program in dental hygiene was initiated at the school. In recognition and appreciation, the Patricia C. Stearns Scholarship Fund was established by the members of the first Dental Hygiene graduating class (1972). It was noted, "this fund honors and commemorates her name in the educational area in which she distinguished herself as a teacher and administrator" - an honor of which Pat was immensely proud.

Her return to Boise in '73 soon found her opening a unique shop, The Pewter Parlor, which she successfully operated for several years. There's no denying Pat was a strong-willed individual - a "do it my way" kind of gal yet, a caring heart lurked underneath. Opinionated, interesting, sensitive, independent, intelligent, thrifty a colorful person to say the least and one who touched many lives along the way. She accomplished much, left her mark, and will be remembered and loved by those who shared her life. In later years, she really enjoyed her neighborhood walks, often stopping for conversation sprinkled at times with a bit of her quick wit and wry humor. Pat's passion for football could find her watching three games at once on her TVs, as well as running "football pools" cussing if she were behind!

Pat is survived by her brother, Cliff (Gloria) Stearns; two sisters, Joan Eastman and Anita (Dan) Perry, all living in Vermont; 13 nieces and nephews, 21 great nieces and nephews, and 2 great great nephews. Pat never married.

In Boise the Greenwood Family became her surrogate family: Bob and Dottie, their children....

There will be no formal service. Pat's wishes were to have an informal gathering, overlooking Boise. An open house to celebrate her life will be held at the home of John & Patti Greenwood, Saturday, April 28, 4 p.m. A suggested memorial would be her scholarship fund: checks made payable to the "University of Maryland Dental School" with a memo line notation for the "Patricia C. Stearns Scholarship Fund in Dental Hygiene (CT #60). Address to: University of Maryland Dental School, Vanessa Bell, 650 W. Baltimore St., Dean Suite, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Source: Idaho Statesman, 22 April 2007.
PATRICIA STEARNS
1931-2007
Patricia C. Stearns, 76, of Boise, Idaho, passed away at home, peacefully in her sleep, Monday, April 2, 2007. Cremation is under the direction of Summers Funeral Home.

Pat was born in So. Ryegate, Vermont, Feb. 13, 1931, to Floyd M. and Marjorie (White) Stearns. Her father was killed during W.W. II, lost at sea when his ship was blown up in the Philippines. Pat grew up in So. Ryegate, graduating from nearby Wells River High School. Her education continued at the University of Vermont, switching to Dental Hygiene for the last two years.

One fun summer between college years, Pat and some college buddies worked on a dude ranch in Montana Pat, as the main cook!!! Following graduation (1953), it was that love of the West that made it easy for her to accept a job in Boise with the State of Idaho, Dept. of Dental Health. In Idaho, dental hygiene was still in its infancy. Over several years, Pat was instrumental in many programs started around the state, along with the formation of the Idaho Dental Hygienists Assn. in which she was later awarded a life membership. Involvement also included both the District and National levels. Life wasn't all work. Those were the early days of floating the Boise River (way before it became popular). There were lots of other fun times, leaving many good memories just imagine four young Vermont girls sharing an apartment in Hills Village!

In 1959 Pat received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington, and in 1966, a Masters in Dental Hygiene from Columbia University (New York). In 1968, with degrees in hand, Pat became the developer and first chairperson of the Department of Dental Hygiene at the University of Maryland Dental School. Under her direction, a baccalaureate degree program in dental hygiene was initiated at the school. In recognition and appreciation, the Patricia C. Stearns Scholarship Fund was established by the members of the first Dental Hygiene graduating class (1972). It was noted, "this fund honors and commemorates her name in the educational area in which she distinguished herself as a teacher and administrator" - an honor of which Pat was immensely proud.

Her return to Boise in '73 soon found her opening a unique shop, The Pewter Parlor, which she successfully operated for several years. There's no denying Pat was a strong-willed individual - a "do it my way" kind of gal yet, a caring heart lurked underneath. Opinionated, interesting, sensitive, independent, intelligent, thrifty a colorful person to say the least and one who touched many lives along the way. She accomplished much, left her mark, and will be remembered and loved by those who shared her life. In later years, she really enjoyed her neighborhood walks, often stopping for conversation sprinkled at times with a bit of her quick wit and wry humor. Pat's passion for football could find her watching three games at once on her TVs, as well as running "football pools" cussing if she were behind!

Pat is survived by her brother, Cliff (Gloria) Stearns; two sisters, Joan Eastman and Anita (Dan) Perry, all living in Vermont; 13 nieces and nephews, 21 great nieces and nephews, and 2 great great nephews. Pat never married.

In Boise the Greenwood Family became her surrogate family: Bob and Dottie, their children....

There will be no formal service. Pat's wishes were to have an informal gathering, overlooking Boise. An open house to celebrate her life will be held at the home of John & Patti Greenwood, Saturday, April 28, 4 p.m. A suggested memorial would be her scholarship fund: checks made payable to the "University of Maryland Dental School" with a memo line notation for the "Patricia C. Stearns Scholarship Fund in Dental Hygiene (CT #60). Address to: University of Maryland Dental School, Vanessa Bell, 650 W. Baltimore St., Dean Suite, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Source: Idaho Statesman, 22 April 2007.


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