Patricia Collier
A private service is planned.
As the daughter of a Marine Corps colonel, Trish grew up both overseas and in the US, most notably in Haiti, Shanghai, Quantico VA and Washington DC. From early days she was an accomplished horseback rider and swimmer. In later years, she won a gold medal in the Maryland State Senior Olympics for swimming.
After graduating from college, Trish worked for the State Department for several years. She married Clayton Eakle of Washington DC in 1946, and they raised their family of three children in DC and Bethesda MD.
When the children were all grown, Trish returned to school in 1970 for her Masters Degree in Social Work. She worked for years as a social worker at various institutions, including the Veterans Administration in DC and the Naval Medical Hospital in Bethesda, until her retirement. She and Clayt spent many happy years living in Annapolis MD, traveling and sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, until he passed away in 2000, the same year in which her son Chris died.
Her greatest passion was for animal welfare. Trish fostered and adopted dogs through GRREAT (Golden Retriever Rescue, Education and Training) over a period of 19 years, volunteered with various animal welfare organizations, and always contributed generously to many animal rescue and rights organizations.
The family would like to thank our dedicated home healthcare workers and Whatcom Hospice Foundation for their kindness and help throughout this difficult time.
Trish is survived by her brothers Thomas and David, daughters Wendy and Judith, and by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make donations in her memory to:
Best Friends Animal Society (https://bestfriends.org) 5001 Angel Canyon Road Kanab, Utah 84741-5000 Phone: 435-644-2001 Email: info@bestfriends.org
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you wake in the morning hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. - Anonymous, from The Northwest Indian News
Memories
From Jennifer Beard
I’m so sorry to hear this. I am a social worker who worked with Trish from 1985-1988 at the Glen Burnie Mental Health Clinic. We stayed friends until she moved away. She was a dear friend. I’m so sorry for your loss. Trish taught me many life lessons I’ll always remember. She was so generous with a huge heart.
From Timothy Collier
My Aunt Trish was a passionate and engaging character with a keen sense of humor and a deep love of the natural world. Paula and I so enjoyed her stories and letters about birds and pets and the many adventures of her life. Her passing certainly leaves a void, and we will miss her. We're thinking of Wendy and sending our love.
From Arden Landry
Dear Trish came into our lives as Wendy shared her Mom with us on many occasions at our farm and at the Fireside for a martini or two, among other events. She was a great friend who shared much about what life was like as she grew up, became an adult and had many adventures throughout her life. We shared much laughter, some tears and many hugs with this dear person. Trish is unforgettable. Much love to Wendy who shares many of her Mom's traits and so we keep her Mom with us in different ways. Hugs to you, Wendy.
From Michele Batche…
Trish was an amazing woman! I'm so glad I had the privilege of being a caregiver for her in her last days. She was wonderful to spend with, will miss her!
From Roxanne Klix
What a privilege it has been, to not only care for dear Trish in her final days, but to have come to know her over the months prior, as I helped her with chores, shopping etc. We had so much laughter together, and our great love of animals in common, and she became a dear friend to me. I will miss her very much & her beautiful smile, and am thankful for those special times, Roxanne
From Ashley Morsberger
Rest in peace, Grandma Trish. I love you more than words can explain and I am so thankful to have grown up with you in my life. Thank you for the amazing time spent taking me to The Nutcracker ballet every Christmas and the best Grandparent's Days at school a kid could ever ask for. All the memories sure were great ones, and I will forever hold them close to my heart. Thank you for being such a compassionate and strong woman and by far the best role model I could have ever asked for. <3
From Barbara Morsberger
A few days ago I got the sad message that My Dear Friend Trish had left us. With tears in my eyes and pain in my heart I say Good Bye to a wonderful person that was always happy and taught me and supported me as my children were growing up. We shared Sunny, Trish always said Sunny had two homes. Trish taught me so much about life! I feel so blessed to have had her as part of our family Trish we love forever! We will remember all the good times we shared and celebrate your life! God Bless You in Heaven! Love, Barbara
From Anne Boerner
Greg and I enjoyed the privilege of becoming acquainted with Wendy and Trish after we moved to Bellingham. Wendy, we are so grateful to have met you and Trish. We will forever think of you both as our "framily" and treasure the friendship that we share.
Trish lived an amazing life full of adventure, honor, and love. She really was ahead of her time.
We will never forget the first time we met for dinner and serendipitously discovered that we'd lived in the same Bethesda neighborhood, though at different times. Guess it was destiny that we would meet.
And while we are very sad that she is no longer with us, we feel so very fortunate to have had Trish's bright light in our lives for at least a short period of time.
Wendy, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family.
From Ted Stannard
She'll be much missed for her enthusiasm for life, friends, people, politics, and service.
My wife Femmy and I first met Trish only a few years back when she retired here in Bellingham. We bonded instantly over rich memories of school days in China over three-quarters of a century ago. We both spent our final two years of high school at Shanghai American School -- she just before WWII, along with my three older siblings, and I just after the war. Her father was a colonel and commander of Shanghai's 4th Marines units.
Trish was in the Class of '41 with my eldest sister Jean, and they worked together on the school paper. Then known as Pat, in her junior year she was crowned the Queen of May and voted runner-up for prettiest girl on campus. In a get-together with my visiting sisters last month she recalled, with a laugh and a twinkle in her eye, that those years at SAS were the wonderful years when she discovered that boys liked her and she liked boys.
She was intelligent, informed, charming to know, caring of people and public issues, forthright in her views. We wish we could have been friends for longer. I'll be sharing this information with the SASA alumni newsletter for others who may remember her from those early years.
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