Patricia Ann LaPorte was born July 12, 1944 in Detroit, Mich., and died June 10, 2005, after a year long battle with brain cancer.

Pat or “Patty” as she was known, started a career as a dental assistant at the age of 15. Later, in 1973 she began a new career that would last 31 years as a police and fire 911 dispatcher and supervisor for the cities of Farmington, Mich., Farmington Hills, Mich., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Southfield, Mich. Her last position was in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island at ICOM 911. Pat spent many years playing women’s softball and she loved hiking, camping and vacations with her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Tami Kowal and son-in-law, Rob Kowal, and her grandchildren who gave her absolute joy, Keaton Nicholas and Frances Rae, all of Duvall. Also survived by her beloved mother, Rose Swiszowski of West Palm Beach, Fla.,; her brother Philip, of Lakeworth, Fla.; her sister, Janet Jury and her family, of Anchorage; and many special extended family including aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 17 at 10 a.m. at St. James Cathedral, 804 9th Ave., Seattle. Interment, Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Hoffner Fisher & Harvey 508 N. 36th St., Seattle, WA 98103.

Remembrances may be made to American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018.