Patricia "Patty" Niemchak

Patricia “Patty” Ann Niemchak, 68, of Cheboygan, Michigan, formerly of Washington Township, Michigan, was born on August 31, 1954 in Detroit, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Vincent and Alice Foss.

Loving wife of Lawrence “Larry” Niemchak. Dear mom of Michelle (Brian) Matuszak, Jesse, Ed (Tessa), and Rose (Kevin) Rhoades. Cherished “Nana” of Mackenna, Ethan, Connor, Eamon, Claire, and Hadley. Patty is also survived by her loving siblings Mary (Rob) Mange, Sue (The Late Gerry) Higgins, Bonnie (Rich) Pytlak, Vince (Eileen) Foss, Teri (Steve) Kurmas, and George (Rositsa) Foss, as well as many nieces and nephews and countless friends from many facets of her life who are all like family to her.

Selfless is the only word that can describe this incredible woman. She was beautiful inside and out with a smile that brightened any room and eyes that could tell her entire story.

She involved herself in many groups and organizations over the years. Early on she led PTO’s and scout troops, and taught catechism. She was athletic and enjoyed racquetball, softball, and bowling.

She was the ultimate party planner and didn’t need an excuse to invite friends over. She had a way of connecting people and truly was happiest when she was serving others. Patty and Larry had the best parties and always made sure that there was more than enough to go around. She didn’t know how to cook for less than 50 people.

Christmas was her holiday. She started decorating every year on Thanksgiving by displaying her entire Santa Bear collection up and down the stairway while Larry put up the tree and all the lights. They were a team, but she was responsible for taking care of detailing the tree and embellishing every other surface of the house.

She began a career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1984 as a mail carrier in Pontiac, Michigan. Working her way up the ranks, she was a supervisor in Mt. Clemens, and was promoted to Postmaster of the New Haven Post Office where she worked until she retired on June 30, 2017.

One of her proudest achievements was being promoted to “Nana”. She loved her grandchildren and had a special place in her heart for each of them. She was lovingly known as “Nana-Banana” and her grandkids knew that the snacks were always in the pantry. She selected ornaments or made ornaments for them every year at Christmas. They all could laugh that it was impossible for her to say graham crackers, instead saying “graham crapper’s”. She was the moon, and they were her stars.

Other pastimes and hobbies included boating with her family, planning class reunions with lifelong friends, bowling on the “Once-A-Month Troubles” League, annually spending time at The Lodge with the best of friends and their families, dabbling with genealogy and tracing family history, and “playing” on her phone and iPad, especially Facetiming her daughter, Rose, and scrolling through Facebook and playing Candy Crush.

Her generous nature kept her busy volunteering her time in different capacities, walking for “cures” and “causes”, and making beautiful, themed gift baskets as donations for fund raisers. If you asked Patty for her help, you could count on her.

She always took care of her husband and her children and grandchildren putting their needs before her own, but this was not work or a chore for her. Everything she did and everything she gave was always from her heart.

Even cleaning was a passion to her. She had been teased before, being called “Mrs. Clean” for keeping her home spotless. She would even go to her children’s homes to visit, or watch grandchildren and pets, and would end up cleaning their houses and re-arranging cabinets.

Dreaming of sunsets on the Black River, Patty and Larry fixed up their riverfront home so they could enjoy retirement.

While in Cheboygan she found new joys spending time with Larry. Walking, hiking, taking scenic country drives, going to town for farmer’s markets, car shows, fairs, and arts and crafts exhibits.

No amount of time, words, or space would be enough to tell Patty’s story and sadly, it was cut even shorter when she was diagnosed with Cancer at the beginning of the summer. A fiercely strong and optimistic woman, Patty fought with everything she had and maintained her positive outlook. Peacefully, surrounded by her family, she died far too soon on Monday, November 14, 2022.

Visitation will take place from 4-9 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. memory sharing service on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road, Clinton Township, Michigan. In-state visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral mass at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, November 18, 2022 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 40501 Hayes Road, Sterling Heights, Michigan. An interment service at Calvary Cemetery in Cheboygan, Michigan will be scheduled at a later date in the Spring of 2023.

Memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or click the link below.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.resurrectionfuneralhome.com