Patience Allegra Ecklund

Patience Allegra Ecklund
Port Orchard, Washington
March 18, 1943 – January 31, 2022

Patience Ecklund passed away peacefully surrounded by her family January 31, 2022 at her home in Port Orchard, Washington. She was born in Melrose, Massachusetts on March 18, 1943, to Rev. Kendig Brubaker Cully and Dr. Iris Virginia Cully. Patience and her family moved to Evanston, Illinois shortly thereafter where she spent most of her childhood and later graduated from Roycemore School. The Cully family spent summers at their small farm in Belmont, Vermont. Patience and her older sister Melissa enjoyed exploring and swimming on the property. They traveled extensively which included a trip on the Italian Ocean Liner MV Saturnia to Europe where Patience attended school and traveled for six months. Upon graduation from high school Patience attended junior college before embarking on a hitch hiking adventure that led her to the Pacific Northwest, where she eventually landed in Seattle, Washington. It was there at the age of 20 she met her soon to be husband Laverne “Chub” Ecklund and started a family. Her family grew to include sons, Cully, Darvin, Andrew, Bradley and Erik. She loved being a mother and homemaker. Mom never backed away from a challenge and when needed, she took multiple odd jobs to help meet financial needs. No job was beneath her and she felt that way about people as well. In her 50’s Mom’s love for education and children drew her back to college to pursue a teaching degree. She started at Olympic College before earning her BA Teaching Degree from the University of Washington. She went on to receive her Masters in Education from Central Washington University and taught at Sedgwick Jr High in the South Kitsap School District. She specialized in helping students who needed an advocate and her encouragement to realize their potential. She wanted to be that adult who believed in them because she loved and cared about people of all walks of life. A free spirited person, Patience was happiest when working on the farm, gardening, cutting wood and doing other projects she could get after! She was a worker at heart. She also enjoyed attending music venues to see her family and friends perform. She was a super fan who loved watching her children and grandchildren play sports. Patience was the “State Champion” of her family, a safe place for others and she will be greatly missed but never forgotten. She truly lived a Wonderful Life!

Patience was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Laverne Ecklund. She is survived by her sister Melissa (spouse Bill), and her five sons and their spouses, Cully (Tracy) of Montesano, Washington, Darvin of St Maries, Idaho, Andrew (Rendi) Oldtown, Idaho, Bradley (Tatiana) Olalla, Washington, Erik (Kyla) Port Orchard, Washington. Stepson Jeff Ecklund (Robie) Oldtown, Idaho, Two Stepdaughters Susan Manahan Granger (Rob) Conroe, Texas, Gretchen Rosenthal England Santa Maria, California, Stepson Jeffery Parham Purdy, Washington. Patience also was blessed with 24 Grandchildren and 30 Great Grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at Rill Chapel, Friday February 25th at 1PM, followed by a reception at Whiskey Gulch. In Lieu of Flowers please contribute to the Elton Goodwin Foundation (checks can be sent to 8103 SE Halfmoon Lane, Port Orchard, WA 98367) or South Kitsap Public Education Foundation in remembrance of Patience Ecklund.