Patricia Estes

McCall, Idaho. Patricia Evelyn (Clark) Estes, 72, of Council, Idaho, passed away on December 21, 2025 due to complications from multiple sclerosis.

Patty was born in March of 1953 in Sanford, Maine, to Arthur Owen Clark and Shirley Bourque Clark. The oldest of four children, Patty and her younger siblings got very familiar with the beautiful state of Maine while growing up as her parents capitalized on educational and employment opportunities around the state. Maine and its seasons were in Patty’s bones. She loved being with her Dad, ice fishing from the glassed-in porch right on the shore of Maranacook Lake in Winthrop, while he also taught her the art of lining bees to harvest honey. Patty’s Mom helped her develop her artistic flair which Patty expressed throughout her life with creations in fashion design, painting and other mediums. She enjoyed spending summer vacations and other family time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins in the Sanford area. In the mid 1960’s her family settled in Auburn, Maine, where she graduated from Edward Little High School in 1971. In the fall of 1971 Patty entered Colby College in Waterville, Maine, leaving after two years to marry Skip Estes on August 25, 1973 in Auburn to start their family and live their dreams. Patty filled 52 years of marriage to Skip with a life of loving, learning, serving and supporting her family. Patty embraced the new experiences that came into her life with zeal and determination. As babies were welcomed she devoured books on pregnancy and childbirth, infant care, La Leche League and eventually infant massage. She recorded and compiled family history of past generations through photos and anecdotes and wrote playful versions of her family’s everyday life in children's book style, both romanticizing and documenting our family life on Woodbury Hill. She loved watching her kids grow as she provided them with opportunities and guidance.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1975, Patty served and enjoyed activity in the Church as long as her health allowed.

Early in her marriage, Patty discovered The National Federation of the Blind, an organization of blind people dedicated to helping other blind people gain security, equality and opportunity with full membership in society. She was a member of NFB both nationally and the Maine Affiliate, where she served in leadership roles, learning and teaching philosophies of blindness, which guided her throughout her life.

Her varied education continued later in life as she studied Polarity Therapy, successfully completed Registered Polarity Practitioner requirements and subsequently operated her own Polarity Therapy practice from our home.

An ode to Patty would not be complete without a nod to her mastery of the Maine art of dry humor. To the end of her days she was able to befuddle Skip with a well timed witty barb.

In addition to her parents, Patty was preceded in death by her mother-in-law Ruth Estes and step-Mom Lauretta Torraca. She is survived by her husband of 52 years Skip, of Council, Idaho and native of Auburn, Maine; daughter Kate McGhee (Mark), sons Max (Melissa), Nathan, (Janey) and Luke (Lorie); 12 grandsons and one granddaughter from these four happy families, all of whom she loved dearly. Sisters Belinda Davis (Todd), Sue Ellen, and brother Frank Clark (Gloria).

Private memorial services are planned for a later date in Maine. Online condolences may be left at www.mccallfunerals.com. Those who wish to make a donation in Patty’s memory may do so at [nfb.org](http://nfb.org/).

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home, McCall, Idaho.