Patricia "Pat" (Darnall) Winch

Patricia (Pat) passed away at home on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Pat was born in Shoshone, Idaho to the parents of John and Ethel Darnall. Her dad was the principal of the school in Dietrich where Pat attended first grade. Pat wasn’t happy during school pictures since she couldn’t be in the front row. Pat often shared this story when talking about her early years. Her parents moved to Jerome, Idaho where she graduated from Jerome High School. She was a cheerleader....  Pat and Dale had gone on a couple of double dates with other people but didn’t connect until later. In 1956, Pat received her certificate from The American Registry of X-Ray Technicians. That year she met up with Dale at a basketball game in Jerome. Dale had just gotten home from being in the Navy. They were married on September 8, 1956 on her birthday.
They moved to SanDiego and lived there until June of 1962. That is when they moved to Nampa. Pat enjoyed dancing and they were involved in Square dancing and Round dancing. They did some traveling to go to square dances. They also were members of Elks and would go down to the lodge to dance on Saturday nights. Pat liked to travel. Pat and Dale did several trips through the Elder Hostels. They went on a cruise to Nassau and went to many jazz concerts. Pat really enjoyed the Gene Harris Jazz Festival that was held in Boise.                                       
 Pat worked at West Valley hospital to start her career, and then worked for Magnum Clinic for several years. Nampa was a hub for the railroad and Magnum Clinic was contacted to be their doctors. This gave her the opportunity to meet co-workers of her father-in-law who worked for Union Pacific Railroad. From there she finished her career as a X-Ray Technition as head of X-Ray at Saltzer Medical Center. She loved to help people that came with her profession.
Pat was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Nampa. She was a part of a circle group that met often. She would share the opportunity to host meetings at her home. Pat enjoyed helping with organizing weddings in the church for a few years. Pat also worked on some of the banners that are used for the church. She liked to send cards and take a meal to someone in need. Through her job she saw the need to assist some of the elderly ladies and took them to their doctor appointments. She would write down what the doctor said and go over it with the ladies when she took them home. Pat was faithful reading the daily devotional Upper Room. She really enjoyed getting to read Pastor John Watts sermon which Rochelle from church brought weekly.                                                                                                               Pat and Dale were very active in the community together. While the Buckaroo breakfast was at Lakeview Park, she was in charge of wrapping silverware and volunteers on the days of breakfast to take tickets and pass out plates and silverware. She would start rolling silverware months before the breakfast. Pat also helped with taking tickets at the old Snake River Stampede arena. Pat and Dale helped out at the NAIA basketball tournaments when held at NNU campus. They also ushered at the Civic Center for a short time. They hosted individuals from groups traveling through Nampa for concerts in their home. Pat helped out during elections at Sherman Elementary. She was proud of this service while she could do it. Pat and Dale were involved with Jobs Daughters while their daughter was a member. Pat was also very active in Eastern Star and was a Worthy Matron three times. Her symbol was a shoe and she collected them during her time in Eastern Star.             
Family was very important to Pat. She was very involved with her grandchildren with school activities and sports. Pat would make birthday cakes for her grand children based on the theme the kids requested. She enjoyed having the family over for BBQs and her famous tacos. She made the best canned peaches and jams. During the holidays she made divinity and fudge to give out to friends and family. Her daughter’s favorite was her mustard potato salad. Pat and Dale would host big family dinners when the uncles couldn’t do it anymore. Pat and Dale were quick to welcome new members of the family. Pat was proud she was able to walk the Woman’s Walk at age 70 which she was able to walk across the stage and get a rose and dance with one of the tuxito gentlemen. Pat liked to try new ideas. She went to NNU and audited a creative writing class. Pat thought she would sit in the back of the room and observe. The teacher had other ideas and involved her with the students and sharing what she wrote. She loved being with the young kids as she called them. Pat also took a painting class and a picture she painted is hanging up in her living room. She liked things done right at work and in her life. She loved to read books and the newspaper. Pat was in a book club and liked discussing each book read. In 2000 Pat was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that attacks the muscles. She also had different battles with cancer. Through it all she stayed positive and never complained. She stayed strong to the end.

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