Patricia Hall

Patricia Calaway Hall, 69, of Bremerton Wa., a two time cancer survivor, passed away peacefully on March 1st . She was born on February 14,1943 in Carapito, Venezuela to Timothy and Mary Jo Calaway. The first born of nine children, the growing family soon moved to Oklahoma and then on to Billings and Great Falls, Montana.  In Great Falls the family started Big Stack Potato Chips, a potato chip and french fry company. The entire family, including grandparents, worked in this endeavor over 25 years. Patricia along with her siblings did it all, from farm raising potatoes to the cleaning, slicing, cooking, bagging, and delivery of the wonderful potato chips to area grocers. Patricia graduated from Great Falls Central High in 1961, and College of Great Falls in 1967. She pursued her love of the written word by teaching English at Malta HS in Malta, Mt.  She taught senior and sophomore English and began the Speech & Drama Department.  After two years she moved to Eugene, Oregon to pursue the first of her two Masters Degrees in Education. While at the University she taught Language Arts at Madison Jr. High and substitute taught at multiple schools in Eugene. In 1970 she moved to Vida, Oregon, teaching at McKenzie HS and becoming Chair of the Language Arts Department, girls counselor, and President of McKenzie Education Association, all in a three year span! 1973 and 1974 had her doing internships in Bellingham, Olympia and Tacoma to finish her Masters in Educational Administration from University of Puget Sound.  This degree led her to South Kitsap HS in Port Orchard, as a Counselor/Class Adviser in August 1974. In 1977 she earned her second Masters, this one in Counseling from University of Puget Sound.  Pat did this while working full time and raising a family. During her tenure as a counselor and teacher she helped innumerable students reach their goals and beyond. A quote from one administrator states “Pat facilitates more scholarship money than any other counselor on staff.  She seems to know what is out there and how to encourage students to apply for scholarships they can win.”  Pat loved her job, her students, her fellow teachers and counselors and dedicated 25 years to South Kitsap High, retiring in 1999.  In 1975 Patricia married Gerald Hall in Port Orchard.  Together they raised Kenneth, David and Kelly on Lake Tahuyeh, her dream waterfront home. The family enjoyed many fishing and camping trips together, especially fishing at Ilwaco and Sekiu. Pat loved her vacations in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico with her family, especially being able to share that time with her grandson, Jared. The Calaway family reunions will never be the same without the vast love and laughter that Pat always brought with her.  Patricia helped so many people in her counseling career, touched so many lives and we are all blessed to have had her in our lives. She is survived by her husband Gerald, son Kenneth and Raemie Bruno, son, David and Renee Hall, daughter Kelly and grandsons, Jared and Justus.  Pat is also survived by her siblings, Joanne and Kirk Young of Telluride, Co., Mary Calaway of Scottsdale, Az, Mike Calaway of Phoenix, Az, Meghan Calaway of Boise, Id, Steve and Patsy Calaway of SLC, Ut, Tim and Sherrie Calaway of Bigfork, Mt, Katie and Randy Crumby of Sage, Ark. and Geoffrey and Lisa Calaway of Whitefish, Mt., along with 19 nieces and nephews.  A Memorial service will be held Saturday, March 10 at 2:00pm at the Rill’s Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard.  A celebration of Pats life will follow for all at the Fairfield Inn, 239 4th St. in Bremerton.   The family would like to express their gratitude to the nursing staff and hospice care at Ridgemont Terrace for the wonderful care of Patricia.