Patsy Lynn Kelly Bates

Patsy Lynn Kelly Bates, 70, of Moses Lake, passed away at home with her dogs and family by her side Aug. 31, 2023, after a long battle with health issues.

She was born April 26, 1953, in Walla Walla, Wash., to Lee and Beverly Dodson. She moved to Grand Coulee, Wash., in 1971 where she met her first husband Joseph Patrick Kelly. They welcomed three children, Josie, John and Jennifer. She was married to Joe for 32 years, until his passing from cancer in 2004.

Patsy moved to Moses Lake, Wash. in 2007 to be closer to family and, in 2009, she reunited with her first love, Stanley Bates. They married in 2010 and were married until his passing in 2021.

Patsy enjoyed cooking, bingo, playing cards with friends and trying her luck at the slot machines at the casino. She loved to read and watch old Western movies.

Back in the day, you could always count on the coffee pot being on at her house and no one left hungry. She was mom to many kids who were not biologically her own but called her their second mom. You could count on her to always make sure the kids had a safe place to go but you can bet she would also make sure your parents knew where you were and that you were safe because no parent should have to worry.

Patsy was preceded in death by her two husbands, Joseph and Stanley, her parents, a sister and a brother. She is survived by her fur babies, Peewee, Rocky and Chico. She is also survived by her children, Josie (Ernie) Sisson, John Kelly and Jennifer (Jason) Hill, all of Moses Lake. Also, two sisters, Sherri Wright of Moses Lake and Brenda Wilson of Grand Coulee and one brother, Gerald Dodson of Grand Coulee. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Kelli Ritter, Nathan Sisson, Paige Perkins, Kirsten Kelly, Jason Hill, Jr., Jillianne Hill, Jolene Hill, Joseph Hill and her great-grandbaby Vicente (Vinny).

Patsy also had five stepchildren, six step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild, along with the numerous kids over the years who called her house their second home.

The family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Assured Hospice for their attention and caring in keeping Mom at home and comfortable in her last days.

There will be a memorial service Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. at Strate Funeral Home in Grand Coulee, Wash.