Patricia Evelyn Buffam
After spending time with family, Patricia "Pat" Buffam, age 91, died on November 7, 2022, at Guardian Angel Homes in Richland, Washington. Family and friends will remember Pat as a vibrant and loving soul who lived life to its fullest.
Pat was born on April 28, 1931, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, to Harry Mitchel Johnston and Dorothy Ryder Johnston. She graduated from Beaverton High School in 1949 and married David "Dave" Clarence Buffam on August 18, 1950.
Pat and Dave were happily married for 55 years until Dave's passing in 2005. Together, they had four children- David Jr. Buffam (Englewood, New Jersey), Steven Buffam (Seaside, Oregon), Leslie Buffam Graham (Union, Oregon), and Janis Buffam (Enterprise, Oregon). As the devoted matriarch of the family, she went on to enjoy and mentor eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
During her lifetime, Pat held several occupations, including working as a secretary at Penn Salt in the 1950s. She then became an administrator at Young Audiences in the 1960s and an office administrator at Hillsboro Mid High in the 1970s. Pat went on to work as an insurance claims representative at Fred S James in Portland, Oregon. Later, she worked as an assistant at Sunriver Golf Academy.
Pat was a lifelong adventurer whose travels took her around the world, visiting over 30 countries. Some of her most memorable experiences included taking the Orient Express from Russia to China and hiking the Himalayas in Nepal.
She retired and lived in Enterprise, Oregon, from 1994 until 2020, where she remained an active member of the community including being a member of the Wallowa Valley Hospital Auxiliary, the Wallowa County Photo Club, volunteering at the Wallowa County Museum in Joseph, and an avid supporter of Fish Trap.
A memorial service to honor and remember Pat will be held in Enterprise, Oregon, in June. Remembrances may be made in Pat's name to the Wallowa Land Trust or Nature Conservancy.
