Patricia Marie Fullerton, 88, passed away quietly at her home in Boise, Idaho, on April 15, 2023, with her family by her side. Patricia was born on July 22, 1934 in Crawford, Ohio, to Kathryn Wilamina Rauth and Wayne Webb Kellogg. The family later moved to southern California where Patricia attended high school in Norwalk. She married her high school sweetheart, William K. Pittman, and they had two daughters, Christine K. Pittman and Debra Lynn Pittman. The couple divorced in 1966, and Patricia married James Hayden Hopper and moved to Oklahoma where their son, Jason Travis Hopper and daughter, Kathryn Joy Hopper were born. A job opportunity let the family to settle in Boise, Idaho in 1972. The couple divorced in 1976, and Patricia then met the love of her life, Jerry Lee Fullerton. They were married in 1988 and were together until he passed away in 2005.
Patricia was given the nickname Penny when she was a child because of her auburn hair that would shine like a new penny in the sunlight. Her Scottish, Irish, and German heritage gave her the spirit and strength to overcome all challenges and hardships life brought her way. She had a loving and nurturing heart and was fiercely protective of those she loved. Her maternal instinct was strong, and she would “mother” anything that came near her. She was exceptional with newborns and babies. She was truly an advocate and champion for all children.
Patricia was generous and always willing to help those in need. She shared her wisdom and guidance and touched so many lives. Better advice on the matter of life could seldom be found. Her counsel and opinion were widely sought after. Most people knew instinctively in her presence that it was time to ask the hard questions; and they got answers. Not always the answers that they wanted, but the answers of truth and honesty; the kind that stay with someone.
Patricia enjoyed many hobbies including sewing, dancing, and camping in the beautiful mountains of Idaho. She and her husband Jerry were members of the Elks Lodge for many years and she enjoyed working on many projects and fundraising events to help the charities that the Elk’s supported. She was an amazing cook and loved to feed her family and friends at every opportunity.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry Fullerton; her parents; her brother, Thomas Kellogg; her sister, Virginia Kellogg Hampton; and her daughter, Christine Pittman Pate.
She is survived by her daughter, Debra (Steve) Cline, Nyssa, Oregon; son, Jason Hopper, Boise, Idaho; daughter Kathryn (Scotty) Hopper-Reisinger, Boise, Idaho; stepdaughter, Teri Preston, Royal Oak, Michigan; stepdaughter, Sandy Fullerton, Portland, Oregon; grandchildren, Holley Hale, Boise, Idaho; Penny Christensen, Eagle, Idaho; Amanda (DJ) Bottger, Portland, Oregon; Travis Cline, Nyssa, Oregon; and Daniel Morgan, Springfield, Oregon; and great-grandchildren, Rhett Hale, Boise, Idaho; Miranda Deibert, Meridian Idaho; and Taylor O’Connor.
Cremation will be handled by Bowman Funeral Home. A memorial service and Internment will be held 2:00 pm on May 8, 2023, at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held by the family following the service.
She will be loved and missed every minute of every day. . . her smile, her laugh, the warmth of her hugs, her unfading spirit and strength. Rest in peace beloved Mother and grandmother.