Patricia Gaye Vargas (Sargent)

Patricia Gaye Vargas (Sargent), 74, passed away January 16th, 2019 in Zephyrhills, FL. Pat was born to Gaylord Sargent and Gladys Obie Sargent on May 25th, 1944. She grew up in Chinook, MT, where her roots grew strong. Her daughters loved to brag of their mother's high school days as a Chinook Sugarbeeter cheerleader and homecoming queen. Family and friendships in Chinook remained dear to her heart, and she always looked forward to reuniting with everyone at the Chinook All-Class Reunions.

After high school, Pat lived in Helena, Bigfork, and Missoula, MT, while raising 2 daughters. While Pat was a private person, her daughters would tell you that she was the most loving mother, and that family was everything to her. She had an incredible work ethic as a business owner, and always put her needs last, behind her loved ones.

For fun, Pat enjoyed boating, snow skiing, snowmobiling, camping, and bowling with family and friends. Her daughters were blessed and impressed with her enthusiasm of the outdoors. After raising her family, she moved to New Jersey, where she met and married her soul mate, Mel Vargas, in 1990. They moved to Zephyrhills, FL in 1995, where they retired shortly after. She loved the warmth of the sun in Florida, and the friendships made there. Pat enjoyed entertaining friends and family that visited, showing them her favorite places. Her 7 grandchildren loved visiting "Grandma", which often included the beach, Disneyland, water attractions, Universal Studios, etc. Pat loved to travel, and took her first cruise with her husband Mel in 2001, just months before he passed away. She found comfort and enjoyment in the years to come by traveling with friends and family to Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, and Alaska over the years. Pat enjoyed the summer and fall months at her 2nd home in Missoula, where she loved to cheer on the Griz football team, and enjoyed Sunday football and dinners with family. Her travels between Missoula and Colorado to cheer on her grandchildren in their many athletic and artistic endeavors will always be appreciated and never be forgotten.

Her family would tell you she had the biggest heart. Ultimately, her heart wore out with congestive heart failure, and undoubtedly a broken heart, as Pat endured the loss of her youngest daughter, LeeAnn Harrison, just months prior to her death, on March 25th, 2018.

Pat is survived and lovingly missed by her daughter, Gayelynn Berger (Mike) of Colorado Springs, CO; Sister, Leah Miller (Max), of Chinook, MT: Grandchildren, Chase Berger, Alec Berger, MaCall Berger, Gabrielle Berger, Shane Paddock, Drew Wombold, and Brandon Harrison; Great grandson, Eli Wombold.

Pat was predeceased by her husband, Mel Vargas (David, Donna, Lisa); her daughter LeeAnn Harrison; and her sister, Shirley Wisch (Larry).

Gayelynn and family invite you all to lovingly celebrate Pat's life: July 6, 2019, 10 a.m. at the American Lutheran Church, 537 Ohio St., Chinook, MT 59523.

This is a fitting time to celebrate her, as she so enjoyed the reunions in Chinook! The family looks forward to meeting and reminiscing with all who knew and loved Pat. Refreshments will follow the service.

Pat's remains were laid to rest alongside her husband Mel, in Zephyhills, FL.

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