Patricia Jane Whitesell

Patricia Jane Smith Whitesell died peacefully in Ann Arbor on January 10, 2013. She was 95. Pat was a resident of the Meadows at Glacier Hills, where she had lived since 2003. Before that, Pat spent 54 years in Plymouth, Michigan where she raised a large family and participated in civic and social activities.

Pat was born June 7, 1917 in Madison, Wisconsin, where her father was Chief Engineer for the University of Wisconsin. After her father’s untimely death in 1918, Pat’s mother began a career at the University of Wisconsin, eventually becoming Assistant Professor in charge of the extensive correspondence school supporting GIs during and after WWII.

Pat received an MA from the University of Wisconsin at age 20 and spent several years teaching English there until she married and moved to Michigan.

Pat is survived by her husband of 64 years, Don Whitesell, daughters Kathleen DePew of Romeo, Michigan and Ann Whitesell of Santa Clara, California; sons Steve Whitesell of Kew Gardens Hills, New York and David Whitesell of Charlottesville, Virginia; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Patricia “Sandy” Whitesell and her first husband, Richard White.

Contributions in pat’s name can be made to the University of Wisconsin.

A private family celebration of Pat’s life has been held.