Patricia Webb Thomas

Patricia Webb Thomas died peacefully in Kalamazoo on August 10 with her three children nearby. 

The oldest child of William Blaine Webb Jr. and Mary Spear Webb, she was born on April 20, 1940 in Wabasha, Minnesota. After graduating from Wabasha High School as salutatorian in 1958, she attended Lawrence College in Appleton, Wisconsin, graduating in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in art history. At Lawrence, she met her future husband, Pete, and made lifelong friendships.

Pat and Pete married on December 29, 1962 in Palo Alto, California. They lived in Munich, Germany, where Pete was stationed at Rhein-Main Air Force Base until 1966. While there, they discovered their love for travel, which continued throughout their married life. After the Air Force, they moved to Appleton, WI for a few years, and then eventually settled in Kalamazoo with their three children.

Pat and Pete quickly made friends and got involved in the Kalamazoo community. Pat took volunteering seriously, serving on numerous boards and committees, and supported many community & civic groups and arts organizations. One of the gifts that she brought to all her ventures was her charm and ability to make friends with everyone. Pat was always interested in people, and she was always interested in learning new things. She was an avid reader throughout her life. 

Pat is survived by her three children & their families: Bill, his wife Melissa & daughter Leigh (of Newberg, Oregon); Anne Wester, her husband Steve & daughter Jane (of Kalamazoo); and Sarah Arnold, her husband Bob, and daughters Jillian & Bridget (of Mendota Heights, Minnesota). She is also survived by her siblings Jim Webb, Anne Vermeil, Steve Webb, and Linda Aikens, as well as her sister-in-law Linne Thomas. She was predeceased by her husband, Pete, her parents, and her sister, Carol Webb. 

Memorial service plans are still being determined and more information is forthcoming. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to support her love of learning, reading and dogs, including Lawrence University, Kalamazoo Public Library, or the Kalamazoo Humane Society.

Please share memories with her family at www.langelands.com