Patricia “Pat” Ann Chownyk, age 92, a lifelong resident of Roseville, Michigan passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024. She was born August 11, 1932, to parents Theophiel and Amelia Reichenbach Delmotte. Patricia was the beloved wife of the late Eugene Chownyk. Mother of Robert (Gerie) Chownyk, Beverly Bishop, Barbara Cervantes, Richard (Sandra) Chownyk, Ronald (Jane) Chownyk, and Mark (Lana Mini) Chownyk. Grandmother of Robert (Angela) Sloan, Jesse (Julie) Kershaw, Robert Kershaw, Holly Kershaw, Jennifer DeBaene, Danielle (Aaron) Weller, Christine Collier, Mike Florindi (Julie) and Mandy McQueary. Great-Grandmother of Caitlin, Hunter, Calvin, Casper, Cosmo, Cash, Crosby, Fiona, and Everett. Patricia was preceded in death by both of her parents, husband and brothers Roland Delmotte and Lawrence Delmotte. Pat also leaves behind a host of family – in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who felt like family.
Pat was the matriarch of her family. Raising 6 kids, dogs, cats, ducks, guinea pigs, fish, and sundry other critters (who came and went through the years) was more than a full-time job. She ran a tight ship, and even her grandchildren knew they were subject to the “Gramma Pat tap” on the back of the head if they misbehaved. Her loves included her family, cats, gardening, reading, and she was renowned for her apple cakes & pies.
Once her kids were on their own, she went on to pursue many other interests, which she did with gusto. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Church, serving on the altar guild and as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. Pat faithfully attended the 4:30p.m. Saturday evening mass for decades, until Sacred Heart merged with other churches in the area. The closure of the church was heartbreaking for her.
Pat was an active member in many community organizations in and around the Roseville area. She was a member of the Roseville Friends of the Library and lead the committee concerning the procurement of the bronze sculptures (the Rosebuds) placed in front of the library.
Most notably, she held the role of President of the Roseville Historical and Genealogical Society. She became the unofficial expert on all things Roseville and was frequently contacted by the news media for information and statements on historical and current Roseville events.
Perhaps her most notable statement included a threat to chain herself to the steps of Sacred Heart if the decision was made to close it. (And although she gave it great consideration at the time the closure was announced, she decided against it. Perhaps she was concerned about an arrest blemishing her untarnished reputation, or that jailhouse togs were not her style. But Pat’s feelings about the closure were well known.)
Pat and her husband, Gene were active volunteers with the Macomb Center for Performing Arts. Starting out as an usher, Pat was promoted to House Manager She loved the job, and had the opportunity to meet the celebrities who performed - the Irish Rovers being her favorite.
Politics also played a part of her life. Despite being asked to run for the Roseville City Council on several occasions, she demurred because she didn’t want to get caught up in the day-to-day minutia. Instead, she supported city, county and state politicians she believed in: whether it was attending spaghetti dinners, placing signs on her lawn, or sealing & stamping mailers for them. She and Gene even appeared in a tv commercial for one of them. For many years she was an active election volunteer.
Pat would take on causes she felt strongly about, including the right turn lane at the corner of 12 Mile & Gratiot. Recalling a long ago commitment that had been made for a right turn lane on 12 Mile Rd if/when Arnold Lincoln Mercury closed, Pat headed to city hall when she heard the news of their closure. Her relentless pursuit of the cause is the reason the right turn lane exists today.
Pat won many awards for her civic and community service. She received the 2014 Alexander Macomb Award for Individual Achievement as the top local historian. The Book Sale Room in the Roseville Public Library is dedicated in honor of Pat and her dear friend, Carol Huck. She made many friends along the way, and their calls and visits brought her great joy as her outside involvement became less active.
Just days before her passing, Pat celebrated her 92nd birthday with family and friends gathered for lunch, cake and ice cream. She felt good and looked great! Her faith was solid, and she was confident that her physical ailments would all be resolved soon, and that her heavenly Father was waiting for her.
Visitation will take place on Sunday, August 25, 2024, from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm, at Kaul Funeral Home, 27830 Gratiot Ave., Roseville, Michigan 48066.
Funeral Service Monday, August 26, 2024, will begin with a gathering at 10:00 am, until time of service at 11:00 am, at the funeral home.
Memorial donations in memory of Pat are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Pat will be laid to rest privately at Sacred Heart Cemetery, in Roseville, Michigan.
