Patricia D. (Pat) (May) Henning was the first born of five daughters to Tug and Betty May on April 29, 1945, in Chehalis, Washington.
She passed quietly on Thursday, Feb. 13, after a long illness.
Pat started her career with DSHS as a trainer in the Olympia office shortly after graduation from Centralia High School in 1963. She didn’t have a driver's license, but did own a 1959 Rambler Ambassador, and so the car remained parked while she carpooled and studied to obtain her drivers license. She loved her job, and her coworkers quickly became lifelong friends. She kept in contact with so many over the years.
Following retirement from the state, Pat could not stay idle long, so she joined Lewis County Superior Court and eventually the Lewis County Prosecutor's Office. She loved every minute of her career. She became best of friends with Susie Palmateer, who remained by her side through thick and thin until the end. She absolutely loved her connections made during these many years. And she was loved by many.
In 1977, she married Don Henning, of Boistfort. Saying that he was the love of her life is an understatement. They shared many camping adventures together daring to go where no man, or woman, had gone before.
Tragically, in 1998, Don passed away while they were together on one such trip. This left a huge hole in her heart that lasted until her death. They are together again forever now.
Pat is survived by her sisters, Kathy (Larry) Chastain, Winlock, and Ellen (Joe) Parypa, Centralia; her stepchildren, Becky (Jerry) Aust, Vincent (Theresa) Henning, and Tina and Michelle Henning; her nieces and nephews, Craig Chastain, Shelley Stoner- Teitzel (Wyatt), Katie Parypa- Neva (Nick), Aaron Parypa (Chantelle), Courtnie Chastain, Taylor Chastain (Matt), both her niece and caregiver, as well as Sophia Neva and Harper Mitten.
And, of course, she is survived by her closest friend and confidant, Susie Palmateer.
She has many cousins, all of whom she loved and cared about.
Her sisters, Michele May- Stoner and Mary Lou May; brother-in-law, Joe Parypa; and granddaughter, Jennifer Aust, preceded her in death.
A celebration of life has been planned for 1 p.m. March 15 at City Farm 456 N. Market Blvd. in Chehalis.
