Eastern Washington University Athletics

Involved with the Eagle Athletic Association since its inception, Utter's support of Eastern Athletics was instrumental during the school's rise to NCAA Division I and the Big Sky Conference. Her gift of $790,000 to the EWU Foundation in 1993 in the memory of her grandfather and former Eastern board of trustee Charles P. Lund included a nearly $200,000 endowment given to the athletic department. "I've loved watching sports my whole life," she said in 1993. "I happen to think it should be part of the educational experience." She was also actively involved in the EWU Foundation and contributed greatly to Eastern's music department. And for most of her life she was active in politics and civic affairs, particularly with the democratic party. She also served on the Cheney Library Board of Directors, and was instrumental in having a new library built. She passed away in 1994, but her legacy will live on forever. "Patsy's generosity and dedication was admirable and intense," said former Speaker of the House Tom Foley. "She had many causes in which she was interested, and she took an active role in shaping her community. One of her deepest commitments was to the field of education, and in particular, to Eastern Washington University. Her spirit will remain in the city of Cheney and on the Eastern Washington University campus as a loyal supporter of neighbors, faculty and supporters."