Obituary of Patricia "Patty" Ann Katz

Patricia “Patty” Ann Katz

July 14, 1947 – June 27, 2021

Patricia Ann Katz - Patty to all who knew her (nee “Shadley” later adopted as “Gerdlund” when her mother remarried) was born in St. Helens, Oregon on July 14, 1947. Patty was a social, bubbly, and mischievous one who always sparkled with a quick smile, laugh, and an ever-present twinkle in her eye. Her childhood was full of the usual experiences growing up in small towns – summers playing with friends, picking berries, and canning with her mom, Nina, along with fall and winter school activities like football games and dances. She also spent some summers with her grandparents, traveling to county fairs in Oregon and Washington helping him with their Pronto Pup stand.

She married Curt Mooneyham at 16 and had her first two children, Jerry and Shelley Mooneyham. As they reached their early adulthood, Patty and Curt took separate roads and she moved to the Portland area, where she tended bar and cocktail waitressed for many years in both Portland and Beaverton.

In 1972, Patty met Brian Katz and again started a new chapter in her life. They married in 1974 and had their daughter Sarah in 1975. Brian and a partner had purchased Mrs. Neusihin’s Pickles in 1974 and Patty threw herself wholeheartedly into supporting the pickle making business by working as the office manager until the business was sold in 1979.

The 80’s and 90’s were challenging for Patty as she and Brian struggled to find their way and eventually parted. After a long and winding road to recovery, Patty embraced and maintained her sobriety for over 21 years making it her mission to give back by reaching out to those who needed help in finding their own road. She passionately devoted the remainder of her life to supporting the recovery community as a sponsor to countless sponsees who found strength in her story, her compassion, and her guidance. She organized and advocated for social justice reforms for the recovery and formerly incarcerated communities and her efforts resulted in her becoming part of a wide network of activists all across the country. Patty worked in multiple organizations with roles as an advocate and organizer. One of her most satisfying achievements was in helping to pass the “ban the box” law in Oregon which legislated the removal of the employment application question about whether the applicant had ever committed a felony. Her proudest professional achievement was in co-founding the first Hands Across the Bridge event to the Northwest and serving as lead organizer for over 18 years. The annual Labor Day event celebrates the hard work the Portland and Vancouver recovery communities have accomplished by highlighting speakers committed to supporting those endeavors, performing symbolic ceremonies to celebrate hope for those on their recovery path, and remembering those who have been lost due to addiction. The event culminates as participants from the Portland and Vancouver sides of the I-5 bridge join hands along the entire length of the bridge.

Finally, and most importantly, Patty was a much beloved daughter, sister, mom, ‘nana’ and friend. She could create fun just by entering a room, always quick to smile, laugh, or comfort and simply share her indomitable, hopeful spirit, and generous heart. Her family, friends, community, and co-workers will all cherish the memory of that playful twinkle in her eye and forever hold her sparkle in their hearts. Patty is survived by her children: Jerry Mooneyham, Michelle “Shelley” Mooneyham, Sarah Hamilton (Jeff); grandchildren: Aliesha Comfort, Kris Mooneyham (Patti), Hailey Eubanks, Jessica Hamilton, Kaitlyn Hamilton, Jeremy Hamilton; six great-grandchildren; sister Sue Zielaskowski (Jim), brother Ken Shadley (Doreen); nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

Patty is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

Patty’s Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 2pm at Living Hope Church - 2711 NE Andresen Rd. Vancouver, WA 98661 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Patty Katz to the following organizations that were near and dear to her heart:

            Hands Across the Bridge: https://handsacrossthebridge.org/fundraising-goals/

            Oxford Houses of Oregon: www.networkforgood.org

            Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA): https://ddainc.org/support-dda/

            Iron Tribe Network: https://www.irontribenetwork.org/

 

The family would like to give special thanks to the following people for handling all of the necessary arrangements:

Crown Memorial Centers, Cremation, & Burial

Celebration of Life officiants from the XChange Church, Pastors Bill and Vicki Smith

The planning committee Tracey Jennings and Tammy Wilkens

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