Patricia E. Kirchhoffer

Patricia E. Kirchhoffer, 95, passed away Saturday, June 28 surrounded by her family.

Pat was born in Indianapolis and attended Shortridge High School and Sweet Briar College. She went to French camp on Lake Champlain and lived in Dijon, France with the Experiment in International Living.

She went to art school in Indianapolis and was so talented — Pat created beautiful stained glass works of art that her children enjoy today. She enjoyed sewing, Hawaiian quilting and Chinese cooking. She also loved riding around Oahu in her little red Triumph convertible that was a gift from her husband.

Pat married Rev. Richard A. Kirchhoffer Jr. in October 1945 before he went to Virginia Seminary. They lived in Virginia, Tennessee, Hawaii (18 years), Indiana, Wyoming and Montana.

She did lots of volunteer work, including Waimano Home in Hawaii, Literacy Volunteers of America in Whitefish, and North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. She belonged to the Junior League of Honolulu and hosted many international exchange students. After retiring in Whitefish, they moved to Hawaii for 18 months and continued their love of travel by going to places like Japan, Italy, England and France.

Pat loved to entertain and always prepared fabulous meals for her guests. She came to Atlanta when her first grandchild was born and gave two dinner parties — one with Chinese food and the other with Mexican food. She took cooking classes from Mary Sia in Honolulu and gave each of her children a “Mary Sia cookbook”.  She was definitely the hostess with the mostest.

Pat was a loving generous mother and grandmother who cared deeply for her family. She was community oriented and loved nothing more than to sit on their front porch in Whitefish and wave at all the people who passed her way.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Dick Kirchhoffer. She is survived by her five children, Richard Kirchhoffer III of Lincoln City, Ore., Mary Porter of Atlanta, Margaret Tsukaguchi of Philadelphia, Christopher Kirchhoffer of Wenatchee, Wash., and Patricia Kirchhoffer of Whitefish; plus her six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 7 at All Saints Episcopal Church located on 2048 Conn Rd. in Columbia Falls.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to All Saints Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1923, Whitefish, MT 59937.