Patricia Barrett Capalbo

Ann Arbor, MI

Age 87, died Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at home. She was born October 30, 1922 in Manistee, MI, the daughter of Casimer J. and Mathilda V. (Barrett) Pawlicki. She first came to Ann Arbor in 1941 to attend the University of Michigan. During that time she worked for Fielding Yost, retired UofM Football coach and designer of the Michigan Football Stadium. She prepared his correspondence to soldiers during WWII. In 1944 she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech and Theatre from the UofM. After graduation she moved to Chicago, where she joined Eastern Airlines as a stewardess. She was first based in Atlanta, GA then Miami, FL and flew a million miles in four years on DC-3s and DC-4s. One of her planes is in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. On August 2, 1949 she married Frederick B. Capalbo in Miami Beach, FL. They honeymooned in Havana, Cuba and Western Europe. Six months later she traveled by freighter from New York City to Maracaibo, Venezuela where she lived and worked for Creole Petroleum Corporation. In 1952, she returned to Ann Arbor and was employed by Boersma Travel until 1955, when her daughter Gina Marie was born. She was a long-time supporter of the arts, particularly the Michigan Opera Theatre, Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Catholic charities, Veterans of Foreign Wars and University of Michigan. She was a member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association, St. Francis Catholic Church and Charter member of Travis Pointe Country Club.

She was a gourmet cook, wonderful dancer (taught her husband how to dance) and traveled with her husband Fred to 40 countries all over the world. She loved Michigan football, hosted wonderful after-game parties and attended her last game September 4 when Michigan defeated the University of Connecticut. Survivors include her daughter, Gina Capalbo of Ann Arbor and niece, Mary Albright of Fort White, FL. Her husband, Frederick Capalbo and sisters Eileen Pawlicki, Audre Albright and Margaret Smith are deceased. Funeral mass will be held 11 am Thursday, September 30 at St. Francis Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. James McDougall, Celebrant. The family will receive friends at the Muehlig Chapel, Wednesday, September 29 from 3-5:30 pm. Flowers are welcome, contributions may be made to the VFW. Please visit www.muehligannarbor.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family. Arrangements by Muehlig Funeral Chapel