Mary Patricia (Patty) Caferro

Long time resident of Whitefish, Mary Patricia (Patty) Caferro, passed away at home in her sleep Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005.

Patty was born on Oct. 28, 1925 in Winchester, Idaho to Duran Grey and Margaret Osborne. During her childhood she lived in Winchester, Lapwai, and Craigmont, Idaho, where she loved to be outdoors, to ride horses, and spend time with her younger sister, Virginia, many cousins and friends. Patty graduated from Winchester and attended nurses training in Lewiston, Idaho. On Sept. 22, 1945, she married Cecil Caferro in Spokane , Wash. before moving to Whitefish. As a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, Patty was involved in Alter Society and Study Club. She shared a special relationship with the Lord.

Patty was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. She was a member of the Women of the Moose, American Legion Auxiliary, Ladies of the VFW, and Whitefish Golden Agers. She was a constant loving support to her husband, her six children, her grandchildren and has a very special place in all our hearts. She worked briefly as a nurse's aid at the old Whitefish hospital, served as a Deputy Treasurer for Flathead County, and on the Election Board for many years.

Patty's favorite places included Lewiston, Idaho, her family ranch in Winchester, Idaho, City Beach, Glacier Park, and her home in Whitefish. She especially enjoyed the beauty of flowers and nature, bright colors, reading, watching her children swim at City Beach, family reunions, picnicking in Glacier Park, and visiting with family and friends.

The following is a poem written by granddaughter Shawna McConnell about her Grandma in Oct. 2004:

Loving Sister of Virginia. Lover of her grandchildren, telling stories, and her husbands spaghetti. Who feels good when she is in Glacier Park and when she is with her kids. Who needs air and more good health. Who gives her grandchildren love, great stories, and wonderful cookies. Who fears getting old, swimming, and heights. Who would like to see all her children together again, New York and a Broadway show again.

Her parents, Grey and Margaret Osborne are waiting for Patty in heaven. Patty is survived by her husband Cecil, her sister Virginia Lambert, Spokane, WA, her six children Sharon Hale, Astoria, OR; Theresa Senese, Winfield, IL; Debbie McConnell, Whitefish, MT; Mary Caferro, Helena, MT; Frank Caferro, Salt Lake City, UT; and Duran Caferro, Helena, MT. Her grandchildren, Spencer McMahan; Jesse and Keysa Hale; Margaret, Hallie, Joseph, and Kenji Swain, Duran Caferro Jr; Karl and Shawna McConnell. Great grandchildren, Alyx and Conner McMahan.

A Rosary Service will be conducted for Patty at Austin's Funeral Home Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Service for Patty will take place at St. Charles Catholic Church on Friday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Hospice, 175 Commons Loop Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901 or Ronald McDonald House 1015 W. 5th Ave. Spokane, WA 99204 - 3001. Her family will greatly miss her tender loving care and her spunky attitude.