Dolores ‘Pat’ Bland, loved and cherished by many, went to Heaven on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the age of
76.
Pat was born to the late James and Martha Hamm on December 15, 1937 in Wapello, Iowa. She grew up in
Metropolis, Illinois, with her late brother Edward Hamm, where she was a majorette in high school.
Shortly after graduation, she married Duane A. Bland on September 4, 1955. They spent their early years
in Rudolph and Findlay, Ohio before moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Eventually, they made their home in
Southern California and Poulsbo, WA.
As an active member of her church, she was passionate about being a Deacon along with her husband at
Monte Vista Presbyterian Church. She generously volunteered her time to many organizations including
Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, CA.
Some of her favorite activities included gardening, reading, spending time with her family and dog,
Holly. She was an avid tennis player and enjoyed bridge tournaments where she and her husband were many
time champions. Pat and her husband spent much of their time traveling the world.
Pat is survived by her loving husband, Duane A. Bland; four children, Cheryl Goff, Douglas Bland, David
Bland, and Sheila DiFraia; eight grandchildren, Chelsea Skaggs, Lindsey Bland, Chanel Mickelsen, Selenne
Bland, Tristan Bland, Nathan Bland, Jacob DiFraia and Joslyn DiFraia; and two great-grandchildren, Olin
and Elich Skaggs.
Donations can be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org, at http://pulmonaryfibrosis.donorpages.com/Tribute/PatBland
or mailed to 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 304, Chicago, Illinois, 60611 in the name of Pat Bland.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Monte Vista Presbyterian Church,
3797 Lynn Rd., Newbury Park, CA, 91320, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.
To
send flowers click here!