Patricia Collier Ricketts
Oct. 16, 1919 –
Nov 25, 2015
Pat lived a full and happy life. She was raised in Westchester County, N.Y. She was one of six children of Marsheniel and Robert Collier, an author whose books, “Secret of the Ages,” and “Riches Within Your Reach” are still sold today.
Pat attended school and grew up in and around New York City and Sarasota, Fla., later going to college at Florida Southern in Lakeland, Fla.
In her 20s she joined the Women’s Army Air Corps (WAAC) and was stationed in India during WWII. She served as the Commanding Officer for the Transportation Squadron moving troops and equipment to the front lines.
In her 30s she married Army Veteran Harvey K. Miller of Pennsylvania and together they had four children, beginning their family in Elkton, Md., and later moving in and around Brevard County, Fla.
In her 40s she became a single mother as she and Harvey were divorced. She continued raising her four children and also worked as the decretary to the vice president of Pan American Airways, among others, at Cape Canaveral, Fla. She saw the Great Space Race first hand and also had the opportunity to work for Werner Von Braun. In her spare time she played tennis, a great passion of hers from a young age.
In her 50s she won many Florida tennis tournaments in singles and doubles, often with her twin sister, Dorothea Henderson.
In her 60s she met and married John Ricketts and they had a wonderful 20- year marriage. They travelled frequently, visiting Alaska, South America and bicycling across Ireland before finally settling in Oak Harbor to be near family. John passed away in April 2008 of Parkinson’s.
Pat enjoyed playing lots of golf until her late 80s and then was content to read books (usually one a day), play cards, spend time with her family, meet with her WWII Women’s group and watch her Seahawks on TV. On her 96th birthday she was spry and alert but, alas, one week later suffered two heart attacks within a week. She passed from this life to the next mostly alert and very loving to the end.
Pat is survived by her daughters Colleen Johnson and Pat (T.J) Lamont of Oak Harbor and son Barry Miller of Snohomish, grandchildren Terra Trull and Rebecca Lowe and their families in Virginia, Cameron Johnson and family of Spokane and Jason Lamont and family in Spangdahlem, Germany and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her brother Donald Collier of Gainesville, Fla., and her twin sister Dorothea Henderson of Highlands, Ranch, Colo. She was preceded in death by her husband John Ricketts, a daughter Sharon Miller, and three brothers. Pat also leaves behind her devoted doberman, Mia.
Thank you to Whidbey General Hospital Hospice which made it possible for Pat to spend her last days in the comfort of her home. The family suggests memorials to WGH Hospice or WAIF.
A Celebration of Life for Pat will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, at Wallin Funeral Home. Friends and family are invited to a reception at the funeral home immediately following the service. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Please visit Pat’s Book of Memories page on the funeral home website at www.wallinfuneralhome.com
