Patricia Delores Eastman

Patricia Delores Eastman passed away on March 5, 2019. Patricia's love for her family, her friends, and living a life of faith and deep integrity were second to none. She was a lifelong member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Patricia's love for God was a daily expression through serving her church, the Billings community, and through daily prayer and bible study.

Raised in Billings, Patricia's parents were Keith and Rosemary Jones. The Jones family spent many memorable vacations boating and water skiing at Canyon Ferry. Patricia graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1959. Prior to her passing, she served on the organizing committee for her 60th high school reunion. Throughout her life, Patricia enjoyed wonderful friendships going back to elementary school.

Patricia graduated from Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, and the University of Montana. She began her professional career as a teacher in Anaconda and then Billings, and later worked at Rocky Mountain College in fundraising/alumni relations, eventually assuming the role of Associate Director of the Billings Family YMCA.

Patricia loved playing tennis and her dedication to the sport earned recognition on the Billings Tennis Association's Wall of Fame. She was an intense competitor, a lifelong student of the game, and a dedicated volunteer. In recent years, she shifted her enthusiasm to pickle-ball and enjoyed playing with her YMCA friends. Over the years, Patricia served on numerous nonprofit boards of directors including the Billings Tennis Association and the Yellowstone Ballroom Dance Club.

Patricia met John Eastman in 1989 and, after a seven year courtship, they married in 1996. Together, they enjoyed traveling and spending time with family in Montana, California, New York, and Washington. Patricia and John enjoyed cheering on their grandkids at their sporting events and school programs. They also followed the Montana Grizzlies, Wyoming Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, and all her favorite professional tennis players. Patricia loved going to Wyoming football games in Laramie ... provided they played in July.

Patricia is survived by her husband, John Eastman; her children, Sara Fenter Knies (John) and Ross Fenter; extended family Lori Eastman, Kristi Eastman Heigis (Shane) and Mike Eastman (Nicky). She is also survived by her grandchildren Riley and Katie Knies and Talan Jean and Drew Heigis; sisters Mary Ann Crawford (Ian) and Jane Connelly (Dan); brother Jack Jones; nephews Tom Connelly (Charlotte) and Neil Connelly; and, her beloved cats Murphy and Mangus.

A celebration of life is planned for Aug. 3, at 1 p.m. at Pioneer Park (near the tennis courts).

Memorial contributions can be made to the Billings Tennis Association, PO Box 21381, Billings, MT 59104 or the Billings Family YMCA, 402 N. 32nd St., Billings, MT 59101.