Patricia Strickland

Patricia Ann Strickland, 86, of Traverse City, Michigan, died peacefully on February 5, 2024 at French Manor Green in Traverse City, Michigan.

Pat was born September 2, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Leonard and Marion Loser. She grew up in Detroit, attending Guardian Angels and St. Ambrose High School. Pat married Richard Kenneth Tiesworth in 1958 and lived in Married Housing at Michigan State University. Pat worked at Chrysler Missile in Warren, Michigan while Dick (Bear) completed his degree in Engineering. They then moved to Wayne, Michigan after Dick accepted a position with General Motors. By this time, they had two children (Kathleen and John), with a third on the way. They built a house in Livonia, Michigan, where the rest of the children were born. (Matthew, Linda, Michael, and Daniel) After Dick passed away in 1977, the family moved to St. Clair, Michigan where Pat began a career as a Substance Abuse Counselor with Riverside District Hospital. From there, she accepted a position at Munson Hospital as a certified Addiction Counselor. Her personal life experiences, her empathy and passion for those suffering from alcohol addiction, and her fierce dedication to the work gained her a reputation as a skilled counselor that was effective with groups, as well as individuals.

Pat married William Hugh Strickland in 1985 on the Buckley farm and then at St. Mary of Hannah, where both were active parishioners. Pat loved the ‘farm, especially the massive garden, bread baking, maple syrup in the spring, and the ‘too-many-people-to count’ Christmas celebrations, family reunions, and wedding celebrations. She was also gifted at sewing, quilting, cross stitch, and created many gifts for her family.

Surviving are five children, Kathy (Doug) Grosso of Interlochen, Matt (Debbie) Tiesworth of Spring Lake, Linda (Jason) Gollan of Traverse City, Michael (Christine) Tiesworth of Lake Ann, Daniel Tiesworth of Interlochen, 21 grandchildren, and eight great–grandchildren. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Debbie Strickland of Birch Run, Sue (Chris) Towery of Sparta, and Matt (Tammy) Strickland of Burlington, NC. Pat was preceded in death by her husbands, Richard Tiesworth and Willian Strickland, her son, John Tiesworth, and her stepsons, Todd Strickland and Bart Strickland.

Pat will be remembered for her love of her family, her tenacity and strength, her sense of humor, and generous gratitude of those that supported her, especially throughout these last years. She loved to dance and we know she’ll be grooving to ‘Earth, Wind, and Fire’ for the rest of eternity!

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm with a Rosary at 6:30 pm, Friday, February 9, 2024 at Life Story Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Roman Catholic Community of St. Mary of Hannah in Kingsley, MI, on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 10:00 am. Burial will occur at the church cemetery at St. Mary of Hannah Catholic Church at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary of Hannah Church in Kingsley and Hospice of Michigan.

Arrangements are by Life Story Funeral Home, Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.lifestorytc.com.

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