Patricia Alice Humphrey

Pat Humphrey was a fun-loving family woman, whose life revolved around the people close to her. She was a woman with a passion for life, and for filling it with lots of love and laughter. She loved the holidays, she loved to shop, and she loved tending to her beautiful garden. But more than anything, Pat was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, whose love lives on in her family today. Pats story began on a cool fall day in 1931, in the little town of Fowlerville, Michigan. Those were difficult days in this country, which was caught in the teeth of the Great Depression, making times so tough for so many. Yet on October 14, 1931, Stanley and Gertrude (Shafrer) Perkins found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby girl, a daughter they named Patricia Alice. Pat was the couples first of four children, and was joined by her three little brothers, Norman, Virgil and Warren. Her father was a hardworking man, who toiled at the General Motors plant in Flint, while her mother cared for the home. Pat attended school in the Fowlerville and Flint areas, and grew into a beautiful young woman. She eventually began working as a waitress at a diner in Flint, not far from GMs famous Fisher Plant. One day a handsome plant worker named Don Humphrey sat at her table, and the sparks flew between them. Pat and Don soon began dating, fell in love, and were married on April 14, 1950. The newlyweds bought a house on River Road in Muskegon, and began their wonderful life together. Eventually, Pats husband left the plant, and started his own excavating business, operating the heavy machinery himself. His work took him all over the state, and most of the time Pat would accompany him. They'd live out of cheap motels or sleep in the car when money ran low. In 1960, the couple became first time parents, with the arrival of their son, Donald Jr. Three years later, in 1963, their son Keith rounded out the happy family. After the boys came, Patricia stopped traveling with Don, to stay home and raise the boys well. In 1965, they built a large home on Giles Road in Laketon Township, where they happily raised their sons and shared many wonderful memories as a family. Every summer, the family headed to the U.P. and Munising to visit relatives, and did some camping while there too. In later years, Pat and Don bought a piece of property up there to use and enjoy on their summer visits. In addition to this property, they owned a lot on White River in Hesperia, right next to Dons brother Gary and stepfather Wally's lots. Many unforgettable summers were spent camping with relatives on the lots, with some fishing in the lake and mini bike rides in the gravel pits nearby. Some of the less exciting times Don Jr. remembers as a kid were the much-dreaded Sunday trips to visit relatives, which he says were boring. The familys trips to the beach at Twin Lake County Park were always fun, however. Pat always had a good time everywhere she went, which is what she was best at doing, it seemed. She was a woman with a great love of life, and sharing it with others. Her philosophy was to have fun and take care of her family, and she did both so very well. She was always there when they needed her. The holidays were an especially wonderful time for Pat and her family, and Pat always made the occasion special. She loved cooking huge family dinners, and baking a mountain of delicious fudge and cookies. She also enjoyed stuffing their Christmas stockings and Easter baskets, and in fact, Don Jr. still got an Easter basket at the age of 40! Pat had other interests, too, and enjoyed tending to her beautiful garden. She loved being outside, among the birds and the flowers. She also loved shopping, which was a full-time job for her, it seemed. Her family was sure that she did so much shopping, she had to buy a new pair of shoes every month to replace the pair shed worn out! Most of all, Pat loved spending time with her family, who gave her the greatest joy. When her grandchildren arrived, she became an adoring grandma, and loved to spoil the kids every chance she got. She was also close with her extended family, and once took an infamous trip to Munising with her niece, Char. They both knew the route well, having been there many times before, but the two got to talking and laughing, and ignoring the road signs. Before they knew it, they were almost to Canada! Pats life wasnt without heartache, however. Her son Keith sadly died in a car accident in 1986, which she took so hard. Then in 1998, Pat suffered a stroke, but managed to remain active. In 2003, she suffered several more strokes, which limited her activity further. Pats beloved husband Don died on February 6, 2007, after 57 wonderful years of marriage together. With her husband gone, her health rapidly declined, and Pat sadly died on Saturday, December 15, 2007, at Hackley VNS Hospice. She was 76. Pat was a wonderful woman, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of fun times, fond memories, and the family she loved most of all. Pat had two priorities in life, to care for her family, and to have fun, and she did them both so well. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, whose love lives on today in all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. Pat is survived by her son, Donald (Kim) Humphrey Jr. of Hesperia; 3 grandchildren, Rachel, Eric & Jessica Humphrey; 1 great grandchild, Matthew Rogers; 2 brothers, Virgil (Sandy) Perkins of Muskegon & Norman Perkins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald L. Humphrey Sr. on February 6, 2007, son, Keith Humphrey in 1986 & a brother, Warren Perkins. Services are scheduled for Thursday, December 20, 2007, 11:00 AM at Clock Chapel with Pastor Gary Lacy officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday, 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial donations may be made to Hackley VNS Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Pat, or to sign the guest book.