12/16/2025
The time is finally here to announce our 2025-2026 Scholarship recipients! Starting off with none other than our Barbara Pattison-Lehning Scholarship. Please read her story below, as her legacy is an instrumental part of our foundation 💚
Barbara Pattison-Lehning was a Washington State resident her entire life. She earned her Bachelor’s in Communications from The University of Washington and a Master’s in Business Administration from Seattle University. Through much of the 70’s and 80’s, Barbara was an advocate for students with special needs and learning disabilities within the Washington state public school system. She worked on local school boards, Seattle City Council, and the state government. She also had the opportunity to meet 3 Presidents, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.
Barbara was a selfless care giver, constantly putting the needs of others before her own. She was active in her community and served on several local boards. She had a passion for life which included the love of the arts, food, wine, and conversation. She loved travel and adventure and lived every day to its fullest, even while being treated for brain cancer. In fact, one of her last adventures was a 13,000 foot skydive! Her favorite song was “My Way” by Frank Sinatra and she embodied this, living her life “her way”. Her legacy motto was “Make every day an adventure”.
Barbara’s granddaughter is an accomplished dancer and Barb never missed a chance to watch Madison dance. She even danced together with her granddaughter in her final performance of the Nutcracker when she was a senior in high school.
This scholarship is provided by Barbara’s twin daughters, Trishawn Kipp and Kim Landesberg, who hope that their mother’s adventurous spirit and zest for life will be carried forward by those who remember her and are influenced by her legacy.
