Patsy Ruth Farris

Patsy Ruth Farris, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, passed away on January 5th, 2011 at age 84 at La Posada with her family by her side. Patsy was born June 7, 1926, in Everett, Washington, to Fred A. and Ruth Moore Chandler; she was the youngest of their four children. She attended public schools in Everett and nursing school at Providence Memorial Hospital, where she enlisted in the nurse cadet program, since she was too young to join the military. She received her RN in 1947. Patsy married Edward A. Farris on October 25, 1947 in Berkeley, California. She lived in Richmond, Pleasant Hill, and Visalia, California, before moving to Las Cruces in 1962. She also spent time stationed at military bases with her husband, including Ft. Rucker; Presidio of Monterey; Trieste, Italy; Ft. Douglas; Ft. Sam Houston; and Ft. Chafee. Patsy worked as an RN at hospitals and clinics in Washington, California, and New Mexico, including Memorial General Hospital at its location on Alameda, Memorial Medical Center at its current location, the Student Health Center at NMSU, and for Mesilla Valley Hospice in its early days. Her career included a wide variety of venues, including surgical nursing, doctors' office and outpatient clinics, and home health care. Nursing was more than a profession for Patsy; she loved helping provide for her patients' care and dedicated her life to their comfort and well being. Patsy had many other interests as well. Her love of colors and love of the desert southwest led to her many avocations. She and her family spent many happy days visiting every state except the Dakotas. After her retirement, she and Ed traveled to Canada and Mexico, and returned to their beloved Italy. She was an accomplished sandpainter and exhibited her works at the original Holy Cross Retreat Craftfaire until its relocation to Young Park. Patsy loved everything about gardening and especially cultivating irises, even pulling weeds. She loved to cook, and her family and friends enjoyed the fruits of her labors. She always had a dog, usually a cat, and her many turtles to baby and fuss over. Patsy is survived by her husband of 63 years, Edward, and their four children: Janet Drexler and husband Mark of Las Cruces; Gayle Geele of Phoenix; David and wife Georgia of Lansdale, PA; and Douglas and wife Jill of Ferndale, WA. Her grandchildren include Jonathan and Jennifer Geele; Damian, Colin, and Tisha Farris; and Lorna, Phillip, Rosie, Hannah, Kealen, Noah, Abby, and Patrick Farris. She also has one great-granddaughter, Juliet Lilian Amelia Farris. In addition, she is survived by her brother Weston Chandler of Spee-bi-dah, WA, many nieces and nephews, and her dog Duke. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Forrest, her sister Janet Best, and one great-granddaughter, Lily Raine Farris. Many thanks are due to the physicians, nurses, and staff at Memorial Medical Center, on the third floor and in Intensive Care, for their kind and compassionate treatment during her last illness. In addition, thanks to the staff of Mesilla Valley Hospice for their wonderful support during Patsy's last days. At Patsy's request, her remains have been cremated; a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice or an organization of the donor's choice. Patsy's love for people may be "gone from our sight", but not from the hearts of her many friends and family members. PDF Printable Version