Pat West, 80, died Tuesday, May 12, at the local long term care unit.  She was born Patricia Bessette on August 24, 1945, to Wilfrid and Maxyne (Harris) Bessette.  Pat was the youngest in the family, joining two older sisters on the family ranch outside of Loma near the Marias River.  She grew up attempting to avoid cow milking and horse riding, but she did get pulled into normal family pranks such as cow pie tosses.  Many teenagers own a car, but Pat sported a J-Be Hercules motorcycle and many local neighbor girls hopped on with her at various times as she buzzed around the countryside.

Pat graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1963 then attended a business college in Great Falls.  She married Paul Firman of Great Falls and had her only child, Troy Firman.  She and Paul later divorced, and she was then married but also divorced from Lew West.

Pat worked mostly in bookkeeping.  In the early 80's her job led her to leave Montana for New Mexico and Arizona where she worked for a land/oil company and then a merchandising firm.  She had her own bookkeeping company until she teamed up with son Troy to open a coffee shop in Gilbert, Arizona.  Troy lived with her most of his life since he was legally blind after a childhood tumor surgery.  She was always Troy's driver and they were lifelong friends.  About 6 years ago, when Pat stopped driving, they both moved back to Fort Benton.  The hardest days of her life were after Troy died suddenly in 2024.

Pat loved to play piano and organ and sent many tapes that she called "The Happy Organ" to her family.  It was at her Arizona church that she realized sin would keep her out of heaven during eternity, so she happily accepted Jesus's free payment for her sins.  Pat also enjoyed attending Bible Study in the nursing home and always had her specific Bible along which she loved learning from to the very end of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents and son.  Pat is survived by sisters Mary Ellen (Willie) Vischer and Lynda (Larry) Vielleux, and nieces and nephews.

There will be a family service at a later date.