Patricia Ann Oakes

Patricia was born in Yarmouth, Maine, the youngest of 8 children born to Joseph and Melanie Arsenault. Born on St. Patrick's Day, she was named Patricia by an insistent parish priest. Patricia had 2 daughters, Janet and Judy, with whom she moved to Michigan in 1952. She became active in scouting and ran a dance school in her basement for several years. She encouraged her girls in their Catholic education and their subsequent choice of careers. She worked for John Hancock for several years as an executive secretary, retiring in 1984.

Patricia was the proud mother of Janet Oakes (deceased in May of 2009), a retired job counselor for the Sate of Michigan and Judy Zbikowski (Frank), a registered nurse in the surgical services department of the Garden City Osteopathic Hospital. Loving grandmother to Deanna DeLong, Deborah Spencer, Julie Jonascu (George), Tina Honey (Allan) and Cindy Craft (Ben). Affectionately known as "GG" to 10 great grandchildren: Jennifer, Josh, Alex, Jacob, Cheyenne, Mia, Tess, Tea, Chloe and Carolynn. Most recently she delighted in becoming great-great grandmother to Jayden, son of Jennifer.

Patricia will be dearly missed by her family who takes comfort in knowing that she has gone to heaven to "dance in the light".

Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at St. Valentine Church in Redford at 10:00am followed by a luncheon at Steve's Family Restaurant in Livonia. Please call the family for details.