Patricia Ann “Pat” (McGlew) Smith, 84, of Lutz, Florida, passed from this life into the loving, merciful arms of Jesus on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. The daughter of John and Helen (Schoenherr) McGlew, she was born on September 15, 1937, in Center Line, MI, where she was raised and educated.
A devout Catholic, from a young age, her faith and love for the Lord was evident in everything she did. At one point, she seriously considered becoming a nun; but, although a religious habit was already hanging in her closet, the Lord showed her that her vocation was to become a wife and mother.
Pat met the love of her life, Marlie Bernard Smith, at Saint Mary High School in Royal Oak, MI. They were married on October 6, 1956 at Our Lady of LaSalette Church, Berkley, MI. and received an Apostolic blessing from Pope Pius XII. Over time, they joyfully welcomed the births of Sharon, Steven, Michael and Jennifer, followed, much later, by the surprise addition of their fifth child, Bethany, when Pat was 42 years old. In a note, handwritten in Bethany’s baby book, Pat wrote, “How very special you are to me. From the time I knew I was carrying you within me, I knew you were going to be very special. You had to be for God to have given you to us when we were so much older. Oh how He loves you to bring you to this earth at such a time in our lives.”
Pat took great pride in her role as wife, mother and homemaker. Both Room Mother at school and Den Mother in Cub Scouts, she was heavily involved in her children’s lives. An avid decorator and entertainer, she was known for creating warm and homey environments and hosting fabulous gatherings with friends and family. She taught music at St. Cecelia’s Catholic School in Clearwater, FL, sang in the choir and was a sacristan, Eucharistic Minister, and passionate Lector at various churches wherever she lived.
In 1988 Pat and Marlie divorced. In 1993, Pat married Edward “Ed” Cadow who passed away in 2000. Realizing their still present love for each other, Pat and Marlie remarried on September 29, 2001. In 2007, friends and family gathered to celebrate their 70th birthdays and “what would have been” their 50th wedding anniversary.
Pat particularly enjoyed the changing seasons, watching wildlife out her window and gazing at the majesty of trees. She was a lover of teddy bears, country décor and crafting, but her creativity shone brightest during the holidays! Among other things, she loved hanging her blown out and hand-decorated eggs at Easter, making paper chains from wall paper, as well as stringing popcorn and cranberries to decorate the Christmas tree. That, and her other, homespun touches drew you into a beautiful atmosphere of warmth, peace and reverence—Pat’s celebration of the birth of Jesus.
A fighter and survivor of anything life threw at her, Pat was a model of resilience and unconditional love. Always happiest at home, surrounded by her family, her love continued to grow with the birth of every grandchild, great-grandchild and soon-to-be-born great-great-grandchild, already loved. As one of her grandchildren, Jason, recently said, “To have been loved by my grandma is to know how it feels to be loved fiercely for all that you are while also being held to the highest standards by someone who is certain that you can do anything.”
Pat is survived by her husband, Marlie B. Smith, three daughters, Sharon Abbott of Tampa, FL, Jennifer (Curt) Dinkelmeyer of Kalamazoo, MI, and Bethany Smith-Mistretta of Lutz, FL, two sons, Steven (Stacey) Smith of Lansing, MI, and Michael (Denise) Smith of Virginia Beach, VA, 13 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and one sister, Barbara Foster. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister,
Pamela Schissler-Nabozny, son-in-law, Mark Mistretta, and granddaughter, Maggie Rose Mistretta, who died prior to birth.
Florida: The Funeral Mass of Resurrection will take place on Monday, July 11, at 10:00 a.m., St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618. A catered reception in the Family Center, on the church property, will be immediately following.
Michigan: A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 26, at 11:00 a.m., at the City of Portage South Cemetery, 10401 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002. A catered reception will follow at the Dinkelmeyer residence (Pat’s daughter and son-in-law) in Kalamazoo, MI. Directions to the reception will be provided the day of or by emailing [email protected].
All are welcome and invited, regardless of faith tradition.
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