February Newsletter

In 2003 with Pat at his side, Ken Sasson gathered a few friends together and established the South Whidbey Yacht Club. Ken’s untimely death in December 2004 left a large void in the Club’s leadership and questions as to whether the Club would continue. Pat, along with some boating friends, worked diligently to keep the organization going and growing. Here are a few things we remember about her support of and participation in activities:

Club Membership grew steadily, much of it due to Pat’s enthusiastic recruitment of South Whidbey friends and neighbors. 

Youth Sailing was a central part of Ken’s vision for the Club. Pat’s contribution to our Youth Sailing Program was instrumental and came at just the right time.  We planned the heck out of this experiment of running a sailing class and not surprisingly, we missed a few details.  One question was where to put the boats?  This little detail was never resolved or even talked about until Bob Rodgers and Bill Brown were transporting two little boats on the ferry heading to the island.  So, without any forewarning, they dropped in at Pat’s house and asked if they could store the boats in her garage while they sorted out a permanent location. Well, the fleet grew to more than a dozen boats that stayed in her garage for more than 20 years.  

Pat worked hard to make the Youth Sailing Program a success.  She helped to develop what became the Shore Support team. When it was difficult to fill our classes with students, she promoted our program in her wide circle of neighbors, friends and the organizations she belonged to.  Her grandchildren attended our classes and Camille Sasson became our first Youth Instructor, which started the tradition of growing our students into sailing instructors for the future.  Without Pat’s whole-hearted commitment and support, the program may not have endured for so many years. 

Parties – Social events have always been an important part of Ken’s vision for the Club and Pat was an enthusiastic host and partygoer. In addition to the youth sailing boats, the Club’s party supplies lived in her basement for 20 years. She helped organize many events and often hosted dinner parties at her home for Club members and friends. Pat loved to give parties. Her warmth and graciousness are a fond memory.

Participation – Pat was excited about the full range of Club activities. She crewed regularly in the Pelican races until the leaks in Bill Brown’s Pelican caused more bailing than sailing. She went on Club cruises, even though she had sold the Catalina 30 that she and Ken sailed for many years. On one memorable cruise, she was onboard a Club member’s boat when it was struck broadside by another powerboat, but that’s another story. She entered the first Club fishing contest and although not catching any real fish, she and her neighbor won a prize for the best fish story. When we sent contingents to help Oak Harbor Yacht Club host Whidbey Island Race Week, Pat was at the forefront of the burger flippers as well as the samplers of Captain Morgan’s libation offerings.

Pat was an active participant in other Whidbey Island community organizations including Meerkerk Gardens and, the Unitarian Church Bell Choir.
We miss you Pat. Thank you for everything.