BOMBER MEMORIAL

PATTIE LUENE COLE PIERCE ~ Class of 1952
May 5, 1934 - May 25, 2025



Patti Luene Pierce passed away peacefully in Richland, WA on May 25, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Allen Pierce in 2017.

Patti was born on May 5, 1934 in Wenatchee, Washington to John and Alyce Cole. Her family moved to Grand Coulee in 1942 where her father worked as an electrician on the dams throughout the Columbia Basin. In 1948, the Cole Family moved to Richland where Patti; her sisters: Barbara ('50RIP), Karen ('55), Jackie ('63) and Judie ('63); and her brother, John ('66) thrived in their community.

Patti graduated with the Class of 1952 from Richland's Columbia High School and was an avid Bomber where she became a high school cheerleader. She was the only female in the school’s Jazz band, playing the saxophone at the local hangout called the "High Spot" and at school dances. Staying on stage during a dance was difficult as Patti LOVED to dance, and the band granted her short breaks where the boys would line up to dance with her.

After graduating high school, Patti pursued her dream of teaching and attended Central Washington University where she met the love of her life, Don. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and married Don in 1956, and Don joined the Air Force. They traveled the U.S. and lived in both Germany and Spain. During their travels, they celebrated the lives of their four children: Mark, Denise, Scott and Janice.

Patti was dedicated to her family, attending all functions – sports, plays, concerts, helping make costumes, science projects, whatever her kids needed she was there. She was the “mom” on the block, and you could find the neighborhood kids in her kitchen eating her cookies, and “yum-yums”. She taught her kids love of family and always made time to spend with her siblings or Don’s family.

Patti never passed up an opportunity to dance, and music in the living room, on the back patio, or at the officer’s club would find her dancing with Don, her friends, or her children. She loved bowling, fishing, playing cards, sewing and crocheting. Patti was never without her little handheld AM/FM radio listening to the Seattle Mariners. She even took it in the boat when she went fishing.

Don and Patti retired in 1981 and moved back to Richland. She and Don celebrated 61 years together before he passed in 2017. Patti was the most generous, caring, kindhearted person God placed on this earth, and we all take comfort in the thought that she is back dancing with Don in Heaven.

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Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).