Mary Patricia Strausbaugh

Mary Patricia "Pat" Strausbaugh, age 87 of Warren died Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. Mary Patricia (Patty to her parents, brothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, and classmates; Pat to her co-workers and friends; Mary once Social Security got into the picture!!), 87, was born on August 27, 1922 to Johanna and Raymond Moore in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Patty moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1925 with her parents and brothers, Ray, Jim and Bill Matt. She went to St. Gregory Elementary and High Schools. After high school, Pat became a bookkeeper at Packard Motor Car Company where she met many wonderful friends, two of whom became lifelong friends Evelyn Pianczk and Jenny Pagnucco. Pat married John Jack Strausbaugh, on September 10, 1949. They had two daughters, Linda and Geriann. Pat left Packard in 1952. Pat and Jack resided on a wonderful block where they had many wonderful neighbors, who continued to be lifelong friends, the Whiteheads, Mathews and Coppens families. Pat devoted her life to Jack, Linda and Geri. She created practice lessons for handwriting, helped with homework, did fun outdoor activities - picnics in the back yard, cinnamon toast on the back steps, pool games with the neighborhood kids and our dog, Laddie. Pat and Marylea Burke, another friend from St. Matthews, started a Sunday Preschool for the younger children with activities, such as creating Advent wreaths from mason jar lids, green foil and birthday candles, while their parents and older siblings were at mass. One of the parish priests was asked to start a parish, St. Blas in Sterling Heights. Mom and Marylea helped him with administrative duties to get the parish on its feet. Pat was also devoted to her Aunt Mary, who became Sr. Vernard Murphy, IHM. She always planned a birthday visit to celebrate Aunt Marys birthday. Pat was especially devoted to her grandchildren, Brian and Megan Pelgus. She took care of them while Geri and Greg worked. Brian and Megan brought such joy to her, although she also worried constantly about them. Mom loved playing with the kids, such as playing baseball and catch with Brian and reading books and playing dolls with Megan. There were many trips to the zoo and the Franklin Cider Mill. Later in life, Pat was able to take some wonderful trips, including a trip to Walt Disney World with Alan and Mary Pelgus, Greg, Geri, Brian, Megan and Linda. She also took several cruises, including Alaska and the Caribbean with Lindas and Pats dear friends the Rowe and Hoffman families. Pat is survived by her daughters, Linda and Geri; her grandchildren, Brian and Megan; her brother Bill Matt, whom she talked to daily at their usual 8 pm telephone time. Pats nephews and nieces also survive her: Jim (Karen) Strausbaugh, Bob Moore, Strauss Aarsheim, Kathy (Mike) Gibson, Peggy (Ken) Godin, Janet (Marty) Kanan, Linda Strausbaugh, Louise, Tom, Gerald and David Strausbaugh. She is also survived by many great-nephews and nieces and first cousins, Kathy Meharry, Margaret Ann (Bob) Alberter and Helen Slocum, Jim, Matt and Nell Murphy. Pat was predeceased by her beloved husband Jack, dear son-in-law, Greg; her brothers Jim and Ray, her nephew Jay Thomas and her niece Irene Shawn. Visitation for Pat will be held on Friday from 3-9 pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 Mile Road). A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 am at the Funeral Home with Rev. Fr. Roman Pasieczny officiating. Memorial contributions in Pat's are appreciated to the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Ave., Monroe, MI 48162 or visit www.ihmsisters.org Please share memories of Pat at her Guest Book.