Patricia A. "Patti" Kelley

A gracious, fun-loving, and compassionate woman, Patricia Kelley was a blessing in the lives of so many around her. Through the way she lived her life each day she taught us that there is little value found in the things of this world, but that it is through the love we share with others that we are richly blessed. Being a mother seemed to be a role that was tailor made just for Patti as caring for her children was a job she treasured more than life itself. However, when grandchildren arrived she just may have argued that being a grandmother was her greatest gift. Taken from her loved ones much too soon, Patti will be dearly missed while her memory is forever cherished. The year 1956 brought great joy to one young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, as they were blessed with the birth of a baby girl on October 10th at Hackley Hospital. Patricia was the second of three children born to her parents, William and Katherine (Scaramuzzini) Clement, and she was raised in the family home on Jackson Hill alongside her older brother, John, and her younger brother, Jack. Her father worked at the Muskegon Paper Mill while her mother was a busy homemaker. From her earliest years Patti kept busy with so many things. She began taking piano lessons from Florence Belki. Patti also became an excellent tennis player at North Muskegon High School with several trophies that showcased her talent. Patti was also a member of the girls softball team where she was known as slugger. The Clement family suffered a devastating loss when a fire destroyed their home, although they were blessed to all make it out alive. After graduating from high school in 1975, Patti was ready to embrace all that life had in store. She worked at several different nursing homes, but it was her personal life that was about to get very interesting as she met the man who would change the course of her life forever. His name was Kevin Dean, and after falling in love they were married in 1975. Although Patti was told she could never have any children, she and Kevin were thrilled to welcome four children into their hearts and home: Angie, Bobby, Amy, and TJ. In addition to caring for her family Patti taught piano lessons and ran a daycare in her home. Despite her marriage to Kevin ending in divorce after 23 years, she was always grateful for the children they shared together. From the moment she became a mother Patti fully embraced the role. She was very involved in the lives of her children regarding their education and other interests. Patti could frequently be found dressed as a clown running the halls to amuse the children at school. She encouraged her children to develop a love for music and also taught them all how to play the piano. Her home was always warm and inviting, and all her childrens friends seemed to congregate there. There was a fun-filled family trip to Disney World as well as numerous camping trips. Patti also rented a cabin in Baldwin every year. Halloween and Christmas were her favorite times of the year, so she always went all out. With a love for golf Patti taught TJ to play, and they frequently headed out on the links together. Patti met and married Mike Kelley in 1999. They loved fishing and traveling together. They enjoyed vacations to Barothy Lodge in Walhalla, Michigan, every year. Patti was overjoyed to be a grandmother, and she loved spending time with her grandchildren whenever she could. Throughout her life Pattis journey was enriched in so many ways. She was an excellent bowler who was on a league for several years and had quite an extensive collection of trophies. In 2000 Patti started preforming tap and jazz in dance shows every year. Her family appreciated her superb cooking and baking skills, and they would say that she made the best homemade chocolates around. Patti often worked outside of the home and especially loved her job at Keefes Pharmacy in North Muskegon. She had been working as a cashier at Save A Lot most recently. Animals always had a special place in Pattis heart, and she opened her home to numerous pets over the years. Life was not without challenges for Patti, but she was a gracious woman who possessed a quiet strength and an optimistic spirit. Although she suffered with a childhood sickness that left her hearing impaired, Patti never let it limit her. Since she was very close with her parents, she was devastated with the loss of her mother in 2005, and then again with the loss of her father just one year later. It was just this past Halloween that Patti was diagnosed with cancer, and although her spirit was willing her body was not able to overcome the war that was waged against it. She was blessed to spend her final moments in the loving presence of her family and friends. Although she could be a bit stubborn when it came to matters she was passionate about, Patricia Kelleys heart was as big as the sky is blue. She never had an unkind word to say about anyone and was so much fun to be around. Patti was the rock of her family, and someone who her loved ones could always depend on. She was a gifted woman who accomplished so much of which to be proud, yet her spirit of humility is an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. Life will never be the same without Patti here, but the lives of all who were within her reach will be forever changed because of her love. Patricia A. "Patti" Kelley died on Monday, February 11, 2013. Pattis family includes her husband, Michael; sons, Robert Dean of Muskegon, Thomas Dean of Grand Rapids; daughters, Angela (Eric) Greve of Muskegon, Amy (Jason Coleman) Dean of Muskegon; 9 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter; stepson Brett (Lisa) Kelley of Dansville, MI; stepdaughters, Stacey Kelley of Lansing, Amanda Sollid of Lansing, and Heidie (Larry) Dagget of Maple Rapids MI. Patti was preceded in death by her parents. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013, 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home-Muskegon. Memorial donations can be made to the Patricia A. Kelley Memorial Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.