Patty's Story

September 6th, 2005 Patty Harden Boshell passed away and moved on to the next phase of her journey. Though her life was cut short it was a well-lived, passionate life.

Patty lived with great exuberance. She was a constant learner. Many considered her their best friend. Probably, because she would find the best in you and concentrate on that, never allowing you to disappoint her and never finding it necessary to cast you away. You would always be her friend.

Of course, being her friend also meant you might be subjected to her practical jokes and comical side. Patty wouldn’t think twice at going out of her way to give you a big laugh at both of your expense.

She had a deep, passionate love with her husband. She flew airplanes. She rode the backs of elephants in Africa and canoed the most exotic reaches of Thailand.

She embraced her mom’s Japanese ancestry and traced their family roots to Japan. She even learned enough of the language to spend a month there looking for relatives.

At age 49 Patty’s life had been fuller than most. And in that short life, Patty taught many people about how to embrace every day and smile no matter what.

She didn’t tell you how to live, she showed you with her own life. In fact, it was her life and sadly her untimely death that inspired and changed the life path for many of her close friends.

It was her influence, her affect on those around her that led to the creation of this foundation (read Lisa’s story). She just had an impactful way of living. Her joy and outlook didn’t just rub off on you - you wanted it to rub off. You wanted to get some of that zeal for life she seemed to always possess.

Maybe it was that broad, engaging smile, or the child like charm, or the laser like focus on the task at hand. Either way, all of that and her contagious laugh were just too much to let die, to let anyone forget. That is her legacy.

And for some of those most deeply moved by this extraordinary woman and her life a new mission was wrought. The mission to end the suffering and senseless death to a disease whose treatment progress is decades behind other less deadly diseases (graph).

Patty’s Foundation has committed to working with some of the best scientists and organizations in the world to wipe out this killer disease.

And we’re doing so by engaging the regular folks, spreading the word, and trying very hard to make a meaningful difference in the world.

That is how Patty would want it. That is how Patty would do it.

Thank you for visiting our website. Help us make a meaningful difference. Help us keep our promise to our friend.