Frances Patricia Fillwock

Frances Patricia Fillwock (Pat) passed away peacefully surrounded by her children the day after her birthday on January 27, 2026. Two days before she was able to celebrate her 96th birthday with friends, neighbors, and family at a special party.

Pat was born in Lansing, Michigan, on January 26, 1930 to Mae & Bartlett Lockwood. As a child, Pat grew up in Haslett with her younger brothers Melvin and Phil. They were fortunate to live on the same street with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Big bands, dancing, roller skating and lake activities later led to meeting William Fillwock when Pat was 16 years old, and Bill was 20 years old. Two years later they married and headed to Florida in a 1947 borrowed Chevy coupe. Thus began a love affair that lasted 69 years until Bill passed in 2016.

Pat and Bill raised four children on farms in Okemos, Mason, and Williamston. Pat worked as a bus driver for the Williamston schools, cared for her mother, and kept up with farm life, community and school events. Wherever she lived, Pat worked tirelessly in her enormous garden so she could can fruits & vegetables for her family and neighbors. Children of all ages remember working her gardens with varying degrees of fondness.

After retiring to their remodeled year-round cottage in Houghton Lake, Pat became active in various church activities. One of her favorites was spending days with her church friends making pasties for a community dinner to raise money for missions. She contributed to garage sales, bake sales and craft sales for many years. Fishing and entertaining family and friends at their cottage and on their pontoon boat were special occasions. She enjoyed several days a month with her quilting guild. Over the years, Pat created a special quilt to give to each of her children and grandchildren as well as numerous quilts with other guilds and groups after she moved back to East Lansing.

After Pat and Bill moved back to East Lansing to the Cadgewith Farms Senior Community, Pat became active in the Gunnison United Methodist Church. She was active in quilting and sewing groups at the church as well as a dedicated volunteer for many church projects and activities. Pat loved to entertain and host her large family. Any occasion was a chance to get together for fun, food, and of course, a chance to beat her children and grandchildren in a ruthless card game.

The loss of her son Jim in 2012 was a low point in Pat’s life. But she met the grief bravely and led her family in remembering and honoring their tremendous son, brother and husband.

No matter where Pat lived in Williamston, St. Johns, Houghton Lake, or Cadgewith Farms, she made friends. Please remember that she loved and valued all of her many friends and neighbors.

Pat is survived by her daughter Judy Mead, sons Dennis Fillwock (Linda) and Jerry Fillwock (Nancy) and daughter-in-law JoAnne Fillwock (Jim’s wife). Pat enjoyed time with all of her eight grandchildren – Matt Beard, Chris Fillwock, Elizabeth Maitz, Jamie Davis, Mandy Davis, Angie Ryan, Andy Fillwock, and Allison Neuder.

She felt so fortunate to have close relationships with all of her fourteen great- grandchildren, Tyson, Brody, Evan , Vance, Lily, Braden, Cadence, Gabby, Sloane, Abigail, Mackenzie, Riley, Dru and Tyler.

Pat is predeceased by her husband Bill of 69 years, her son Jim, her parents, her brothers Melvin and Phil and her favorite son-in-law, Maurice Mead.

In the words of her children – Mom offered support, comfort & security to us every day, maybe in the form of an encouraging hug, a smile, maybe a cookie and always a goodbye wave from the window. She was always there to listen, advise, counsel, or even scold occasionally. She permanently etched love upon the hearts of her family. We are privileged to pass that caring heart onto our children and grandchildren. Mom loved her flower gardens. We kids spent many, many hot, dirty days digging, burying and reburying flowers, digging up trees, pots, and even barrels. Mom would be found sitting nearby in a lawn chair giving explicit, frequent directions. She actually acted shocked one day when Jerry handed her a shovel and told her to start digging!

The entire family would like to offer a special thank you to the dedicated Hospice ladies who cared for Pat and her family with such love and respect. We are eternally grateful for the peace and comfort you brought to us.

Services will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home at 1730 E. Grand River Ave in East Lansing. Visitation with family will be at 10:00 am; Celebration Service at 11:00 am, and interment will follow at the chapel at East Lawn Memory Gardens. We invite you to join us.

Any donations could be made to Crossbridge Hospice Group or Gunnisonville United Methodist Church.