Patricia Lea Annest

Patricia Annest died peacefully at home on October 15, 2024. Pat was born December 9, 1935, in Tacoma to a Norwegian mother, June Reda (Odegaard), and an Italian father, Leo Reda. The second of four, she was raised in a multigenerational household behind her grandparent’s Italian grocery store on K Street in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood.

Pat graduated from St. Leo’s High School with a group of lifelong friends, then moved to Seattle where she trained to become an X-Ray Tech at Virginia Mason. In 1956, demure Pat met Dr. Leonidas Annest, the outgoing Greek surgeon, at a bowling match between the Virginia Mason X-Ray Techs and Surgeons. Pat loved to recount the early days of their courtship. In 1958, Leo and Pat married, making their home in Tacoma and welcoming four children.

Pat chose to devote herself to being the world’s best wife and mom. She found immense joy in her role as “Yiayia,” and went to great lengths to ensure an excellent life and education for her children and grandchildren. Attending every game, recital, and celebration, she never missed an opportunity to show her love and support.

Yiayia could not tolerate the thought of anyone being cold, sad, or hungry. She gave generously and created a cozy home that became a hub for friends and family, hosting holidays and Sunday dinners for decades. Most will remember her desire to feed everyone, and few will remember her truly sitting down to eat.

Yiayia traveled enough of the globe to verify that Tacoma, Washington “is truly God’s country.” In the 65 years she spent in her home overlooking the Narrows Bridge and the Olympic Mountains, Yiayia never took glorious sunsets for granted, often recording them to share. Every time we see the beautiful pinks and purples, we will know she’s with us.

Pat is predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Dr. Leo Annest, her parents, her brothers, Leo and Larry Reda, her son-in-law, Bob Rosenthal, and her beloved cat, Miss Kitty. She is survived by her sister, Arlene Zemanek; her children, Demetra Schwieger (Tim), Michelle Hunt, Dino Annest (Janna), and Stephanie Annest; and stepchildren, Lon Annest, Steve Annest (Carol), and Amalia Christman (Gary). Also mourning their Yiayia are 10 grandchildren: Crystal, Alyson, Maria, Clare, Chelsea, Tyler, Demetra, Sophia, Riley, and Leo; eight great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family and friends.

The Annest family invites you to a funeral mass at St. Patrick’s Church on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you “curl up on the davenport” with your loved ones and vote for Kamala Harris, something our Yiayia did not want to miss.