Patricia "Pat" Ellen Whitlock

It was October 1944. The United States was embroiled in the second World War in Europe and the Pacific Ocean. On the homefront, women had joined the workforce and most Americans were rationing goods to help with the war effort. In the South Central region of Michigan a family of four was waiting for their fifth member. Patricia Ellen Kirkbride was born October 25, 1944. She joined her parents Earl and Dorothy, her older sister Audrey and big brother William (Bill). By December 1945 the family became a tribe of six with little brother John joining the brood.

The next several years included many moves throughout the area, finally settling in small Homer, Michigan. Homer brought many pleasant childhood memories for the Kirkbride kids, and also some not so pleasant times as the family was far from wealthy, but they cared for one another, and they made it through the tough times together.

In 1962 as the Vietnam war was ramping up, Patricia, fondly known as Pat, graduated from Homer High School. In a time when young women were only given a few options for their futures (homemakers, secretaries, or teachers) Pat chose to enter the world of manufacturing. During this time the Vietnam war came asking for the two Kirkbride brothers, one who enlisted in the Navy and one who was drafted into the Army. Both served their time quite near one another in country. While at home Pat was working, Audrey was doing hair with Dorothy in their shared salon. Dorothy was writing to any and everyone who would listen to her about this terrible war stealing both of her boys. Dorothy was historically a force to be reckoned with when it came to who and what she cared about. Luckily the boys came home physically unharmed and the family began to grow.

In 1966 Pat gave birth to her first child. A girl. Kerri Sue. The two of them shared a mobile home on the same property as her parents. This close proximity gave Kerri, Earl and Dorothy ample opportunity for bonding in those early years of Kerri’s life. This is something that Pat cherished for her little girl. Sadly in December of 1970 Earl passed away leaving the family without a patriarch.

In 1977 during her marriage to Keith Whitlock, Pat welcomed her second child, another little girl, Elizabeth Anne. Known as Beth Anne for the first four months of her life, she soon became Betsy. This became quite the family joke when Betsy learned in her 40’s that this had been the case.

In 1982 following her divorce, Pat decided to follow her employer to Indiana. Pat bravely took her two girls Kerri, 16 at the time, and Betsy, nearly five, and she started a new life in a new state, a new town and a new home, just the three of them. The times were not always easy, but together they were able to manage to make a life there.

Pat and the girls would make several trips to Michigan for weekends with family throughout the years. The bonds between the whole lot remained in tact as much as distance would allow. When Kerri graduated high school in 1984 she made the tough decision to move back to Michigan to go to business school. This left Pat and Betsy to create a new normal just the two of them.

The years 1988 and 1991 created a new life role for Pat. Grandmother, fondly known by her grandsons David and Michael as Grandma Pat (due to the high number of grandmothers on their father’s side of the family), Pat found such joy in her grandsons. She would bring them down for a week each Summer (separately) for fun with Aunt Butt Butt and Grandma Pat. This would often include trips to McDonald’s to play, the park, the library or even the local lake.

Then came 1997 when Betsy gave birth to Brenna Nicole. Brenna, Pat and Betsy made quite the trio. Pat was Betsy’s partner in everything related to parenting Brenna. From giving Betsy the confidence to trust her gut when it came to feeding, to taking Brenna at night for snuggles to let Betsy sleep. The nighttime snuggles became something both Brenna and Pat treasured, Brenna asking Grandma to hold her feet. Five years later Betsy along with her husband Eric welcomed baby girl number two. Elaina Grace. Elaina and grandma had a unique relationship. Elaina calling Grandma “Rentau” for a year before finally mastering “Grandma’.

Pat took great pride in helping with the girls. From gymnastics classes to helping Brenna overcome her clumsiness at two, to cheerleading, to soccer and anything related to school. Grandma may not have always been able to attend the actual event due to her work schedule but she never missed an opportunity to hear all about it from them sharing in their joys and their defeats.

Pat did not only work one day job. In 1989 when Pat learned that Wal-mart was coming to her town she decided to get a second job. For 20 years she worked sometimes from 3am at one job, to 11pm at the other. But she truly enjoyed working the service desk at the store. She loved her customers and her coworkers. Her being at the store as much as she was meant that this was often where Brenna and Elaina got to visit with Grandma.

In 2009 Pat decided it was time to retire, so that she did. She had worked steadily for 45 years or more, and it was time for her to relax. In her retirement Pat revisited her love of reading, spending hours of the day and night reading her romance novels, or what her family called her dirty books. She also loved to watch television, game shows, crime shows, and western style movies. She also enjoyed showing Betsy and the girls places in Michigan that she had enjoyed visiting as a child. They loved to hear her fun stories about trips taken with her family in the 1940’s and 50’s.

In recent years as her physical health began to decline Pat moved into Kingston Care Center where she could genuinely relax and also be taken care of. On January 31, 2025 Pat took her last breath at Kingston, surrounded by those who were taking care of her. It was Pat’s wish that she be cremated and that no services be held for her. Out of respect for her wishes that plan will be carried out.

She is survived by her two daughters, Kerri Peek and Betsy (Eric) Halferty; sister Audrey Kirkbride; grandchildren David (Heather) and Michael Peek, Brenna and Elaina Halferty; and great grandchildren Jordan, Derek, Alex Peek, Emberleigh and Kaniyah Peek. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and lifelong best friend Beverly Silvestrini.

Pat was welcomed in Heaven by her parents Earl and Dorothy, and her brothers Bill and John, and her niece Michele.

Of all the things that Pat leaves behind, her legacy of bravery, strength and love will be the most missed.