Patricia Ann Forman

Patricia Ann Forman, known as Pat, passed away suddenly on March 5, 2026 at the age of 78 at Tacoma General Hospital. She was born July 22,1947 in Tacoma, Washington. She attended Stadium High School, where she graduated with honors and was in the top 20 in her class. Ron and Pat got married in 1964, the summer after her junior year of high school. They got pregnant with Tammy four months later. Pat was seven month pregnant when she graduated. They liked to joke that Tammy graduated twice, once from Stadium and once from Spanaway Lake.

Pat was a stay-at-home mom to her daughter Tammy and son Ronnie for nearly 20 years. She was everyone’s mom. When the kids were in elementary school, all the neighborhood children would get off the bus and head straight to the Formans’ house to enjoy Pat’s famous home cooking and unparalleled “momming” skills. (Pat continued to be known for her amazing cooking, especially spaghetti and fried potatoes.) The bus driver thought she was running a daycare.

As Tammy and Ronnie got older, Pat taught herself new skills, such as building a rabbit crate, fixing motorcycles, planting a garden, and even putting a new roof on the garage! When Tammy went to college, Pat went back to school, too, earning a computer programming degree at Clover Park Technical Institute. She worked at Lynden, Inc. for about 30 years. She started as a computer programmer and eventually managed an IT help desk. She was beloved by all who knew and worked with her at Lynden, especially her Help Desk crew. A lifelong learner, she went to TCC and got an Associates degree while working full-time and commuting from Puyallup to Seattle.

After retiring, Pat enjoyed spending time with family and friends, listening to the oldies with her granddaughter Haley, playing games, hiking, and taking walks. She even did a 5K wearing oxygen! Pat was a before-her-time social justice warrior and activist. She and Tammy participated in numerous peaceful protests. Her life’s passion was to tell the story of her transgender friend, Barb Dayton, who the Formans believe was DB Cooper. She and her husband Ron wrote and published a book called “The Legend of DB Cooper, Death by Natural Causes,” a biography of their larger-than-life friend. They have been interviewed on numerous documentaries and radio shows. The Formans are active in the DB Cooper citizen sleuth community, speaking at annual DB Cooper Cons and participating in social media discussions with their Cooper family.

For the past couple of years, weekly sleepovers at her daughter Tammy’s house were a highlight for both of them. She and Tammy also hiked, went to comedy clubs and spent a weekend at Ocean Shores. Since her son Ronnie retired, they have been taking walks and working out at the YMCA together. The whole family went to California last summer to visit longtime friends and go to Disneyland. Everything went wrong, but they kept their sense of humor, in trademark Forman style.

Pat was known for her mischievous smile, generosity, intelligence, quick wit, resourcefulness, and quiet strength. She had a special fondness for babies, children, and dogs. Pat shared Ron’s love of cars and airplanes. She found great joy in Steeds Car Club car shows, outings, and monthly lunches. Pat is survived by her husband of 61 years Ron, daughter Tammy, son Ronnie, two grandchildren Haley and Parker, and one great grandchild, Ember; her sister Debbie, her brothers Ron and Larry; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Her loss is deeply felt by all who knew her. She was an angel on earth.

A celebration of life will be held at Pierce County Airport in the Spencer Aircraft Building on Saturday, April 11 from noon to 3 pm. Lunch will be provided. Guests are encouraged to drive their classic cars and park them close to the building. Ron’s two planes will also be on display. Please leave online condolences and memories at www.powersfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Powers Funeral Home, 253-845-0536.