Mary Therese Fitzpatrick

Mary Therese Fitzpatrick, age 84 of Sterling Heights, died Saturday, December 16, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 14, 1933 in Detroit, daughter of the late Jean the Baptist and the late Blandine (nee: Thomassin) Paradis.Being the loving and caring Mom and homemaker she was, Mary spent most of her life pouring the best parts of herself into her family. First with her children, then with her grandchildren as they came along, always nurturing with the genuine sense of compassion everyone knew her to possess. Keeping up the home, cooking all those delicious meals, and effecting it all with such unique finesse,…Mary made it look easy. But truth-be-told,…she enjoyed those precious moments when she could regroup, take a breather, and get refreshed amidst the demands of life. One of the ways she accomplished this was by curling up with a good book and getting lost in its pages. Mary was an avid reader who found great delight in expanding her knowledge through the written word, or perhaps simply getting swept away by something less intense and more entertaining. Either way, reading brought her joy and gave her the opportunity of being immersed in something all her own.Fun with others would often include a little card playing,…and her favorite game was the ever-popular, Pinochle. A game which involved an exercise in memory and some feisty competition, Mary found great enjoyment in sitting around the table with family and friends alike. Meld that together with some friendly conversation, a little card tossin', and perhaps a libation or two, and you've got the recipe for some wonderful friendship moments and memories,…and she ate it up "in spades!"Mary loved to travel, but one of her favorite destinations didn't demand anything extensive,…just a simple jaunt across the river into Canada to the family's cottage in Colchester, Ontario. Located in southwestern Ontario, it is noted for being the southernmost settlement on mainland Canada,…but even more noted for being a Haven of Rest for Mary, and a festive retreat for she and her loved ones with a cottage right on the beach. Yet when her "Travelin' Jones" did demand a destination a bit further from home, it meant packin' up the bags and heading to the sunny and warm climate on Florida's east coast,…specifically Port St. Lucie. The days and countless hours she spent soaking up the sights and sharing the joys of family and friends amidst a tropical setting was like living life as if it was a 3-D postcard. Mary was blessed with the family and friends that enveloped her life and she did everything possible to make each moment count. Whether it was a listening ear, a warm and compassionate touch, or simply enjoying the company of "being together," she was never more grateful than when she was immersed in the love around her. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, she touched a multitude of hearts and souls along the pathway of life and leaves behind a legacy of love for those to embrace with each reflection shared. She will be missed immensely and loved eternally.Mary was the beloved wife of Frank, and dearest mother of Frank (Marge) Fitzpatrick, Debbie Vanderbeke, and Lorraine (Joe) Cavataio. Cherished sister of Frances Chudy and Phillip Paradise. Loving grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of six. Visitation for Mary will be held Wednesday, December 20th from 3-9 pm, with a 5 pm Rosary Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd) in Warren. She will lie in state at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sterling Heights on Thursday from 10:30 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Officiating the funeral liturgy will be Fr. Tim Galos. Please share memories of Mary at her memory book above.