Patricia Jane Nolan

Patricia Jane Nolan, age 81, passed away surrounded by her loving family on August 27, 2025. Patricia was born on May 27th,1944, the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Parejko) Omilian. She graduated from Marywood Academy in Grand Rapids. She attended Aquinas College and was the only female in her graduating class from their BA/Accounting program. She was breaking glass ceilings before it became “a thing.” After several jobs in the corporate world, Pat settled in as a teacher, retiring from Catholic Central as a business instructor where she made many lifelong friends and positively impacted so many students who remember her today.

During her time at Aquinas, Patricia met Anthony Nolan. They were quickly smitten, and Patricia married her beloved Tony on September 2, 1996. They celebrated 56 years of life’s ups and downs before Tony’s death in 2022.

A woman of strong faith, Patricia raised her children in the Catholic church. She was active in their education and spent many years as troop leader for her daughter’s scouting activities. Patricia, enjoyed bowling and golfing. Over the years, she played on several leagues, although she always did her best, whether she won or lost was never that important. She found the social outing to be the best part.

Patricia and Tony enjoyed traveling. Countless family memories were made with their many trips to Orlando and watching the grandchildren enjoy the Disney parks. However, it could be argued that Patricia’s favorite destination was Las Vegas. The sound of the slot machine hitting was her favorite noise, and she never passed up the opportunity to stop at a casino while on road trips.

Patricia will be remembered for being dedicated to family, spending time with her grandchildren and living life to the fullest.

Patricia is survived by her children: Cathy (Jim) Glave and Scott Nolan; her grandchildren, Tyler (fiancée Jaime Richardson) and Ryan (fiancée Isabel Soljan) Glave and Noah and Madison Nolan; her “Ionia Family” includes Jani (Tom) Millard; Robert Dixon, William (MaryLynn) Dixon, Richard Dixon and Kay (Gary) Arnold. Her “1st Cousins” group includes ToniAnn Balice-Buys; Janet (Harv) Balice-Ardis, Karen Balice-Gregory, Margaret Balice- DePover and Sue Balice-Burrows, Dan (Janet Cook) Balice and nieces Amy (Heintzelman) Cusack, Missy (Millard) Mitchel and Nephew Christopher Heintzelman and Marc Millard.

Besides her dear husband, Patrica was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Stephanie Nolan.

Visitation will be at Reyers North Valley Chapel on Thursday, September 4th from 5 to 6:30 pm with Rosary following; and on Friday September 5th, one hour prior to funeral services being held at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Grand Rapids at 11 a.m. Luncheon to follow.

Burial will be at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Ionia on Friday, September 5th at 2:30 following funeral services in Grand Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Patricia to your favorite local animal charity.