Patricia Lynn (née Piper) Schaeffer of Grayland, Washington passed away in Aberdeen on March 13, 2025, at the age of 79. She was born on Sept. 5, 1945, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to parents Henry Piper and Laila (Tuuri) Piper.

She graduated from Carthage College in 1967. She devoted over 35 years as an educator, teaching both 5th grade and special education, before retiring from the Ocosta School District in 2010. On June 17, 1967, she married the love of her life, Thomas Schaeffer, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. They lived in several different cities, such as Hubertus (Wisconsin), Manhattan (Kansas), Topeka (Kansas), Singapore, and Chicago (Illinois), before settling in Grays Harbor County in September of 2002.

Patricia was a devout member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, an oblate at House of Initia Nova, OSB, a dedicated member of the DOTS sewing and craft club in Westport, and a member of the Aberdeen Review Book Club. She enjoyed many hobbies, including quilting, sewing, knitting, and reading.

Patricia is survived by her loving husband, Thomas Schaeffer; sons, Jim Schaeffer of Grayland, Nick Sparrow of Singapore/Grayland, and Ryan Reid of Westport; daughters, Johanna Reid of Westport, Jennifer Sparrow of Singapore/Grayland, and Susan Schaeffer of Grayland; brothers, Ken Piper of Tulsa (Oklahoma), Don Piper of White Fish Bay (Wisconsin), Dennis Piper of Overland Park (Kansas), and Mark Piper of Grand Beach (Michigan); grandchildren, Thomas Sparrow, Hayley (Chris) Amato, Grant Reid, Kaitlyn Reid (Cole Hatton), Jackson Reid (Payten Slosson), Madeline Schaeffer, Nathan (Brie) Cornett, Aaron (Trisha) Cornett, and Mikayla Cornett (Ethen Arnold); as well as six great-grandchildren, Rowan, Lawson, Maeve, Brooke, Jayden, and Isaiah Cornett.

Her parents, Henry and Laila (Tuuri) Piper preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held in the summer of 2025 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Aberdeen.

Donations can be made in memory of Patricia to the following organizations:

House of Initia Nova, OSB: houseofinitianova.org/support-us/

Union Gospel Mission of Grays Harbor: ugmgraysharbor.org/giving-options/