PATRICIA KENT

Patricia Kent, 68, a 22-year Palmer resident, died Jan. 25, 2005, at home, from complications of multiple myeloma.

A celebration of life was held at the Palmer Presbyterian Log Church at 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 28.

Ms. Kent was born in Eugene, Ore., on Sept. 18, 1936, the oldest child of Laurence and Laurel (Whiting) Kent. Raised in Cottage Grove, Ore., she graduated from high school

in 1954.

In 1955, she married David Imel, and three children were born from this union.

Ms. Kent attended Linfield College and College of Idaho, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in music in 1966. She taught vocal music in Toledo and La Grande, Ore., and was also a caseworker for child protection in Oregon and Alaska, retiring in 1990.

She married Greg Baehr in 1977 and they moved to Alaska in 1982.

Ms. Kent was a vocal soloist in numerous choruses in Oregon and Idaho, as well as the Alaska Chamber Singers and the Mat-Su College Community Chorus. She sang in Anchorage Festival of Music choruses and the Anchorage Opera chorus.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she performed in numerous musical theater productions in Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. She directed the Mat-Su College Community Chorus for six years and directed the choirs at the Presbyterian churches in Wasilla and Palmer.

Her family wrote, "After Mom became ill, she hoped to be able to attend her 50th high school class reunion in August 2004, which she was able to do, and had a wonderful time visiting with lifelong friends. Mom was an avid reader and enjoyed good movies and good music. Mom was a bit of a comedian and enjoyed making people laugh. We will miss her smile and laughter."

Ms. Kent was a published poet, with awards for her poetry. She published a book of poetry during her illness, "The Laurel Poems."

Memorial donations may be directed to Beans Café in Anchorage or Brother Francis Shelter.

She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Greg Baehr; children, Keith Imel of Juneau, Sally Payton of Anchorage and Brian Imel of Veneta, Ore.; siblings, Jon Kent of Warrensberg, Mo., Michael Kent of Silverton, Ore., Jill Kent of Minnesota and Miles Clark of Missouri; grandchildren, Elisha, Andrew, Melissa, Kari, Angela, Ryan, Jamie and Heather; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Kyuss, Jordon, Ryan, Shealynn, Emmalee, Callie and Andrew and many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

Arrangements were made by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.