Obituary of Patrice Joan Morency

Big-hearted, courageous, and uncompromisingly authentic, she moved through the world, deeply impacting all she touched with her generosity + her magic hands…

 

On March 1, 2021, Patrice Joan Morency made her final crossing, soon after the death of her beloved dog, Hazel.  Her death was NOT in any way related to COVID, but was due to cardiac failure.  She is survived by her siblings, Robert, Judy, Martha and Anthony, as well as her life partner of 25 years, Jessica Schaffer.

 

Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on February 14, 1956 to Joan and Robert Morency, Patrice lived a life of uncompromising authenticity. She possessed a bold and courageous willingness to dive deeply in both her personal healing and her relationships with others.  For those lucky enough to know and love her, she was a loyal, trustworthy, and playful friend.  She had a contagious wit and laughed often and out loud, especially when marveling at her own human foibles.   A true Aquarian visionary, Patrice walked a path all her own.  She spent her life actively engaged in outdoor adventures and spiritual pursuits.  An avid runner, she completed 4 marathons in her early adult years.  She loved canoeing, kayaking, hiking, skiing and biking, and anything that got her into nature.  In her 30’s and 40’s, she lived on a small farm in Beavercreek, Oregon where she cultivated a beautiful organic garden and raised goats and chickens.  Living there with her farm animals, cats, and dogs were some of the happiest years of her life. 

 

Patrice earned her Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine and was drawn into the world of Massage Therapy as her professional calling when she was 25 years old.  She made an indelible impression on the landscape of massage therapy in the Pacific Northwest as a founding partner in the 1980’s of Innerweave Massage Clinic in Portland and the Oregon Sports Massage Team.  And she was at the forefront of introducing medical massage and therapeutic injury management to the region.  Patrice literally touched thousands of people through her generous heart and her magical hands.  And her greatest joy in the world was being of service through the grace of healing touch.

 

When she was 40 years old, she met and fell in love with Jessica Schaffer who remained her life partner until her death.  Together they celebrated 25 years of a one-of-a-kind, soulful love. In 2017, Patrice and Jessica moved to Manzanita, Oregon where they made their new home nestled at the edge of the forest next to the magnificent Pacific Ocean.   Every day, she celebrated the blessing of being surrounded by the beauty of nature (the ocean, the beaches, the dunes, the forest and the Nehalem Bay).

 

She was deeply grateful for all of the gifts, blessings and friends that she encountered on her life’s path.

 

Patrice…you were a magnificent and masterful being who graced many lives in ways both grand and small.  Dance in peace and grace, beautiful beloved!

 

In lieu of flowers, food, or other memorial offerings, we ask that you please make a generous donation to the “Tree(s) for Marie” project at the Nehalem Bay House.  You can contact Ashley Garcia at CARE, Inc. (agarcia@careinc.org) or Tracy Delano (tdelano@careinc.org), or send donations to Nehalem Bay House, 35385 Tohl Rd., Nehalem, OR 97131.  Please be sure to indicate that the donation is for “Trees for Marie.”

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