July 11, 1931 - May 31, 2023
Patty (Been) Bledsoe Boerstler was born July 11, 1931, to Everett Been and Mary Curry Been in Welty. She departed this life May 31, 2023, at the age of 91.
She was a graduate of Mason High School in Mason, Oklahoma, and later met and married Bill Bledsoe in 1953.They moved to New Jersey and had two children, Mary and Gene. They moved back to Tulsa in 1970. She later married Bill Boerstler in 2000 and resided in Bristow.
Patty received her education degree from Oklahoma State University and later her masters degree in education. She began teaching in Stillwater in 1956. She opened Park Elementary School in 1975 as principal. She was principal in Broken Arrow for years until her retirement in 1993. Through nearly 30 years of teaching, one thing never faded…her love of children and education. After retirement, Patty served as a mentor/ tutor at Bristow Public Schools. She was active in PEO, Harry’s Blessing in a backpack, Meals on Wheels, and volunteered at the Freeland Center. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bristow.
Patty was always smiling and finding ways to make people smile. She was extremely strong in her faith and always supported her church. She was full of life, smart, kind, witty, and strong willed. Patty was a loving and generous mother, grandmother and great grandmother to her family.
She left this quote to share at her memorial service…”I love each one of you. Remember to pass this on: Each of you has Power.The Power comes from the choices you make, big and small.
There are three BIG choices in your life: Number One: God Number Two: Your Mate Number Three: Your Vocation (your vocation should also be your avocation)” Patty is survived by her children, Mary Hamilton of Edmond; Gene Bledsoe and his wife Kyrah of Bristow; her sister Vicky McKinney and her husband Larry; eightgrandchildren and five great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill Bledsoe, and husband Bill Boerstler.
A memorial service was held Tuesday June 6, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Bristow with Reverend Rebecca Westin, and Reverend PJ Southam officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Brian Burden Memorial Scholarship through Bristow Education Foundation, P.O. Box 531, Bristow, Oklahoma 74010.
Services are under the irection of Hutchins Maples Matherly Funeral Home.