PATRICIA HEYDON obituary

FORT BENTON Patricia Ann (Stoner) Heydon, 76, died Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, at her home in Sun City, Ariz., of heart disease under the care of hospice.

Service plans are pending with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Fort Benton. Patricia was born Oct. 24, 1930, in Polo, Mo., to Clyde W. Stoner and Dorothea Mae Jackson. She spent her early childhood on the Stoner family farm near Cowgill, Mo. She was baptized Oct. 25, 1942, at Cowgill Baptist Church. Patricia moved with her family to Havre in 1943. Patricia was married to Herman Coffman in Paola, Kan., in 1946. They had a son, John Thomas. After their divorce, she met and married Lyle Richard Heydon on Nov 24, 1947, in Havre. They had three children and Lyle adopted Tom in 1955. They lived and farmed in the Joplin area for several years. Patricia was confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin on April 14, 1957. In 1966, Lyle and Patricia move to Havre. In 1972, they moved to Fort Benton, where Patricia was teaching at Fort Benton High School. They owned and operated Benton Home Furnishings until Lyle's death in 1982. After his death, Patricia made her home in Phoenix, Ariz. Patricia was a 1972 graduate of Northern Montana College and a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was best known by family and friends as a great conversationalist, wonderful hostess and fabulous homemaker and cook. Her favorite pastime was watching NBA basketball and supporting her favorite team, the Phoenix Suns. Patricia was a four-and-a-half year survivor of lung cancer. Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle; parents; brothers, Paul W. Stoner and an infant brother. Survivors include her sons, Tom Heydon (Mimi) of Fort Benton and David (Nancy) Heydon of Great Falls; daughters, Lyla (Robert) Jensen of Indio, Calif., and and Ann West of Gulf Shores, Ala.; loving companion, Hugh Oliver; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or Salvation Army. Palm Funeral Home of Sun City, Ariz., is in charge of arrangements.