Florine "Patrick" Box

Florine "Patrick" Box died on Thursday, April 6 at Kalispell Medical Center. She was 81. Patrick was born in Mercer, Penn., on Jan, 20, 1925 to Robert and Gladys McBride.

She and her parents moved to New Mexico while Patrick was a young child and she later graduated from Albuquerque High School. After completing nurses training, she was very proud to be a member of the U.S. Army Nursing Corp. On April 13, 1945, she married her childhood sweetheart, and they had 51 wonderfully adventuresome years together before his passing in 1996. After some years in the construction business in New Mexico, their lives took a different turn with the entry into the aviation business. During the next 32 years, Patrick and Ed enjoyed this industry, which took them to Ohio, Texas, Idaho and Utah. In 1983 they retired to Bigfork while still maintaining a home in Texas and later in Arizona.

Patrick and Ed were major supporters of many civic projects in Bigfork and the Flathead Valley including the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts, Bigfork Rod and Gun Club and the Bigfork Community Trust.

A memorial service was held on Monday, April 10 at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork with Pastor Jack Shannon officiating. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to QRU, 810 Grand Ave., Bigfork, MT 59911.

Bigfork Funeral Home is caring for the family.