Patricia North | Obit

Patricia North

July 15, 1947 – April 17, 2026

Patricia North, a devoted high school teacher, passed away April 17, 2026. For 30 years, beginning in 1973, Patty was a member of the dedicated team that taught at Crest Learning Center, Mercer Island’s alternative high school. When called upon to do so, the team would quickly focus their care and skills to help students and their families deal successfully with crises and challenges. With a degree from Whitman College, Patty taught Economics, and she took students to Ozette where they tested themselves hiking and camping along the rugged Pacific shoreline. Students in the horticulture program she started learned business skills that even today produce the tomato plants and hanging baskets many Islanders enjoy for Mother’s Day.

Patty was the second of three daughters of David and Thero North. The family moved to Mercer Island in 1956 to the street (and path) that led to Ellis Pond. There, “The North Girls” gathered polliwogs, rode ponies, listened to chorus frogs, and learned to recognize bird calls. Years later, Patty became a volunteer naturalist at Seattle’s Discovery Park and a coordinator of the Master Birder program at Seattle Audubon.

Patty and her husband, Robert Ahola, a Finnish American carpenter, built the 38-foot sailboat they sailed to and from British Columbia’s Desolation Sound with dear friends. When the waters got rough, Patty was the skipper.

After retiring from teaching, Patty volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center to build homes in such places as Kenya and Cambodia, Belize and India, Peru, Nepal and Zambia. At other times, she and Robert went birding in New Zealand, Patagonia, Portugal, Hungary, Slovenia, The Falkland Islands, Australia, Antarctica, and Costa Rica.

A little-known fact: Patty was the first female umpire in King County for men’s fast-pitch baseball.

Patty led a fulfilling life. She was firm and fair in her dealings. She was a risk-taker, and she did work that was useful and helpful to other people. She was a good athlete, she had a lot of practical skills, and she enjoyed deep friendships. Patty will forever be loved by her two sisters, Christina North Peterson and Katherine North, and their families.

We extend our gratitude for the care Patty received at Mercer Island’s Nov Adult Family Home.

Should you wish to make a donation in Patricia North’s name, please consider her favorite charity, The Ballard Food Bank (1400 NW Leary Way, Seattle, WA 98107) www.ballardfoodbank.org/donate or send a check to The Parkinson’s Fitness Project (106 Lakeside Ave, Seattle, WA 98122) to be used for scholarships.