Patricia "Pat" Ruth (Morrison) Schussler passed away peacefully early in the morning of April 19, 2026, in the presence of her eldest son, Arne.

Pat was born July 28, 1935, along with her twin brother Peter, to Grover and Ida (MacDonald) Morrison in Houlton, Maine. She was raised by the extended Morrison/MacDonald family attending Dyer Brook and South Portland schools. The entire family had a love of music and singing, as evidenced by the fact that she did not consider it punishment to be restricted to the yard; she, with sisters Sally and Wanda, was happy to sit on the front porch and sing. Pat was proud to be a trumpet-playing member of the SPHS marching band.

She was barely 16 when introduced to a Norwegian sailor while riding a city bus. On August 9, 1952, Fred and Pat were married just 12 days after Pat's 17th birthday and spent the next 73+ years together.

Fred enlisted in the Army, Pat joined him with their first son, and after discharge, they settled in South Portland to raise 4 boys there and in Windham. Being in the 1950s, saying Pat took the job of housewife seriously would be an understatement. Order and cleanliness in the house were paramount; clothes were pressed, hair was combed, and tardiness was not tolerated. But when the children were old enough, instruction in these chores was offered. No need for Home Ec when sewing, ironing, laundry, and cooking could be learned at home. Pat and Fred taught tolerance, forgiveness, empathy, and love (though sometimes tough) by example.

Pat took a job at Fairchild Semiconductor, enabling the family to fly to Norway in 1969, visiting relatives Fred had not seen for nearly 20 years. In 1974 Pat completed her Nurses Aide certification and worked at nursing facilities for the next several years. They would move to Windham, where, in 1977, she was presented her GED at Windham High School with Fred and sons Kris and Shawn present.

Pat and Fred returned to Norway several times over the next 40 years and traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Peru (on a Nazarene mission), Denmark, England, and Scotland. They would then live in Scarborough, South Portland; The Betsy Ross House, S.P.; then Cape Memory Care, Cape Elizabeth. Pat and her family had a multi-generational history with the First Light South Portland Church of the Nazarene and several years at Thornton Heights Methodist. Her grandfather, Norman MacDonald, built the original Nazarene church on Sawyer St. She was a devout Christian who lived her life through and by her faith.

Pat was predeceased by her husband Bjarne (Fred) Schussler; grandchildren Karen and Derek (Arne and Shauna), and Brian (Shawn and Robin); by her siblings Billie, Frannie, Jean, Norman, Sally, and twin brother Peter.

She is survived by sons Arne (Shauna), Mark (Carol Jennings), Shawn (Robin), and Kris (DeeDee); along with several grand- and great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Wanda (David Langzettel) Morrison and nieces Jodi (Andrew Cloutier) and Patricia Arsenault; brother-in-law Ben (Sally) Weed and nieces Lori Berry, Debbie Fitchett, and Marcy Weed-Galindo; and numerous grand- and great-grandnieces and nephews; brother-in-law Gunnar Schussler and nieces Kristine (Ola), Annemarie (Morten), and Susanne (Jan); and nephew Henrik Schussler (Hege).

The family thanks the wonderful care workers that saw Patsy through the last several months, especially Cape Memory Care and Gentiva Hospice.

Visiting hours will be held Friday May 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hobbs Funeral Home located on 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. A service will take place on Saturday May 23, at 11 a.m. at The First Light South Portland Church of the Nazarene located on 525 Highland Av., South Portland. A livestream will be available on this link https://www.youtube.com/@FirstLightChurch/streams 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to any or all of the following: South Portland Food Cupboard, South Portland Historical Society, and the Clothes Closet at First Light South Portland Church of the Nazarene.