Patricia Dorain Tarbox

Child of the Great Depression, weaver of an American Dream, builder of family, optimist to the end-Patricia Doraine Tarbox left this earthly existence on November 6, 2026. The morning sun shone brightly in tribute.

Pat was born, the tenth of ten, on February 26, 1932, in the midst of economic hardship. Stewart and Florence Johnson Thompson strived to support their brood, but money only stretched so far. Characteristically, Pat recalled these Depression years-including one where she slept in a tent through winter-as full of love and goodness poured onto her by her parents and older siblings.

While sluffing English class at Granite High School on a spring day in 1950, Pat spotted Seaman Jake Tarbox, on leave from his post in the Navy. She played hard to get... for a minute. Their marriage, solemnized on June 15, 1951, at ages 19 and 20, resulted in six children-Teresa, Jodi, Lorraine, Norman, Janet, and Diane. You're right; the boy deserves a medal.

Pat and Jake poured every waking minute into building a life, home, and community for their family. And with the help of the G.I. Bill and countless sacrifices by both of them, they were able to escape the early years of deprivation and live a modest, comfortable life.

Pat loved being a mother. For seventy-one years, she cared for her children with an iron will and a generous dose of love. Jake may have been the breadwinner, but Pat was the boss. Well into her 95th year, she continued to prepare three meals a day for her disabled daughter Diane. Her dedication to Diane, in particular, was exemplary. Pat loved her yard, preferring the beauty of the soil to finer things. She loved gathering her extended family around her, and staying in touch with distant relatives who seemed to pop up from nowhere. She loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and labored every day to improve his vineyard. She had compassion for almost everyone-excepting telemarketers and lazy children.

Pat is eager to continue her "debate" with husband Norman Carlyle Tarbox (Jake), which was rudely interrupted during COVID after 69 years of marriage. She is also preceded in death by her parents, her nine siblings, and daughters Jodi and Janet. She is survived by children Teresa Siebach (Steven), Lorraine Houser (Judd), Norman Jr. (Maurie), and Diane. And she leaves behind fourteen well-loved grandchildren: Kimberly, Chance, Spencer, Heidi, Jackson, Mollie, Kara, Hannah, Stewart, Emmeline, Mitchell, Madison, Marin, and McKay, as well as thirty-one great-grandchildren and counting.

Pat wanted no fuss at her passing. But she's gone, so we can do what we want. A private family funeral will be held in her honor at an undisclosed location and time. No, really, if you must know, check with Diane.

Those who wish to livestream the service may do so at the following link:

https://vimeo.com/event/6340261