Patricia Marie DiCicco

“Anything is possible.” That is what Patricia Marie DiCicco believed about life. She was a creative woman, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting her. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions. Patricia thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. She possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Patricia was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do.

Patricia was born on December 20, 1960 at Mt. Clemens General in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Her parents were Velda June James and David Carlton James. Patricia was raised in Warren, Michigan. She showed her ingenuity even as a child. When she was confronted with a problem, Patricia could develop an imaginative solution, and she derived satisfaction from knowing she had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Patricia's family relationships. Patricia was raised with four siblings. She had an older brother David, older sister Linda, older brother Dan and younger brother Ken. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Patricia was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young girl, Patricia could be found building and inventing new and different things. She was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. In her spare time she liked drawing, and arts and crafts. Patricia's memorable achievements included always making the Honor Roll in school.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how her world worked, Patricia enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Patricia was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. She graduated from Cousino High School in 1979. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Math. In addition to being on the Honor Roll she enjoyed being involved in the Student Counsil.

Because she was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Patricia performed well in college. She was always on a quest for knowledge and she relished the experience. Theories intrigued her, and she was good at solving complex problems. She always wanted to understand rather than judge. She earned her Associates and Bachelors in Accounting. She also pursued graduate school, earning her Bachelor in Accounting. Her favorite courses were Math.

Patricia was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. Always interested in her friends’ activities and interests, Patricia was uncritical of her acquaintances. She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Patricia to be very stimulating company. Patricia's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her. While growing up, some of her best friends were Sheryl Wahl, Marie Alexander and Lori Lupo. Later in life, she became friends with Kristie Messerschmidt, Michelle Gardon and everybody she came into contact with.

On January 19, 1980 Patricia exchanged wedding vows with Larry C. DiCicco at Christ Lutheran Church of Sterling Hights, Michigan. Patricia was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Patricia was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Patricia was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to her spouse’s needs. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Larry. In fact, those who knew her often remarked that Patricia loved to argue for argument’s sake. She was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Larry's.

Patricia's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced her relationship with her children. She would create original, clever and fun games for her kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Patricia was blessed with three children, three sons, Larry, Eric and Dave. They were also blessed with three grandchildren, Kailynn, Emmalyn and Arianna. Someone who was quick to laugh, Patricia found it easy to spend lots of time with her children, but she was never overbearing or guilty of pushing herself on them.

As a born inventor, Patricia was definitely in her element in her work place. She could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Patricia was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. She could assess all of the options before her and, using her analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. Her personal initiative inspired those around her. Patricia was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. Her primary occupation was accounting management. She was employed for 5 years with Honeywell and 10 year with Henkel. Patricia always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

Patricia's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for her. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Patricia was always searching for new and unusual activities, she developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things she became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew her, but most friends and family understood that Patricia simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. Her favorite pursuits were baking, scrap booking and shopping.

Patricia was continually concerned with the status of local, national and even world affairs. Her keen interest and strong values led her to become active in her community. Serving on committees for the Animal Shelters, the Humane Society and St. Judes Hospital.

Faith and religion were important to Patricia. She was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in her childhood.

With all of her talents, her ingenuity, her solutions and inventiveness, it is no surprise that Patricia received public recognition for her competence. With the drive and ability to meet any challenge, Patricia accumulated a long list of achievements throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included so many of them that we are not sure where to begin with listing them.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Patricia. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Patricia to expand her ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included Mackinaw, Ohio at Cedar Point and Arizona.

Patricia was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Patricia's favorites was Hemi, a Puggle. They were best friends for 8 1/2 years. Her family was rounded out by her dog Molly, a puggle and three cats Mia, Mimi and Toby.

Even while in retirement, Patricia never stopped exercising her inventive talents, and this new phase of her life provided new opportunities for stimulating her interests. Even in retirement, Patricia continued to stay in touch with her old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

Patricia passed away on June 10, 2015 at Hospice of the Valley Dobson Home in Chandler, Arizona. Patricia fought a brave battle against cancer. She is survived by her husband Larry, her children Larry (Amy), Eric (Corrine) and David (Stephanie), grandchildren Kailynn, Emmalyn and Arianna, sister Linda Grubb (Michael Grubb), and brothers Dan James (Mary James, deceased), Ken (Vanessa) James and David (Barb) James. Services were held at Lakeshore Mortuary Chapel. Patricia’s family will receive visitors on Tuesday, June 16th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lakeshore Mortuary Chapel, 1815 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202.

During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Patricia. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Patricia was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not. For Patricia, the traditional way of doing things fell short of her expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Patricia Marie DiCicco, the fun of living her life could be found in the challenge.