Patricia O'Callaghan

Patricia OCallaghan was a woman who loved her family unconditionally, who had been strengthened by adversity, and who knew what hard work was all about. She was independent and strong-willed, yet generous and patient; she made sure that her family was always well cared for. Whether she was working, raising her children, practicing her faith or spoiling her grandchildren, Patricia put her heart into all that she did. In 1938, the United States was just beginning to surface from the effects of the Great Depression. President Roosevelt continued to enact his domestic reform program known as the New Deal, which promised to give relief, reform and recovery to the people and economy. Meanwhile, political conflicts in Europe were also making headlines, and within two years, World War II would escort a new generation of men into the horrors of battle. Patricia OCallaghan was born on July 13, 1938, just as these events began to unfold. She was the first child of Timothy E. and Doris (Lewis) OCallaghan, a couple living in Grand Haven, Michigan. She was later joined by her brother, Michael OCallaghan, and a brother, George McCoy. While her mother was a busy homemaker, her father earned a living working at the mental institution in Traverse City. Tragically, he died in 1969 after drowning in the Grand Traverse Bay. During her growing up years, Patricia spent lots of time with her grandmother in Iron Mountain. She received her education in the Grand Haven Public Schools and enjoyed being in the choir at Grand Haven High, where she graduated in 1956. Three months after graduating, Patricia met and fell in love with her first husband, Gorden Kyle Green, and they were married three months later. It wasnt the two of them for long as they welcomed the birth of their first child, daughter Dennise, within that same year. Over the next eight years, they rounded out their family with four more children: Joseph, Cynthia, Patrick and Terrence, each of whom brought Patricia great pride and joy. The Green family lived in a modest home on Sharon Avenue in Grand Haven, complete with a cat named Missy and a German Shepherd. To provide for their large family, Gorden worked for a company that delivered coal to residences for heating, but then moved on to a better paying job as an over the road, long haul semi driver. Patricia was the definition of motherhood. She was a caring and attentive mother who took an active role in every phase of her childrens lives. From school activities and 4-H to being a Service Unit & Day Camp Director for Newaygo County Girl Scouts and a Boy Scout Leader for 5 troops, her passion was to support her family. Her children definitely kept her hopping, especially since she was the primary parent with Gorden on the road so much. Patricia was a pretty strict disciplinarian and all the children will attest to having a healthy, yet respectful fear of her. They learned early on when to push her and when to stay quiet. Her sons were also most amazed at how their mother could stand at the bottom of the stairs and throw a shoe up and it land in the respective room. How Patricia found the time and energy to do what she did is a testament to her commitment to her family! In the whirlwind of their busyness, the family always found time to go camping at their favorite spot on Clay Banks along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. They spent every Memorial Day weekend here, where Patricia absolutely loved being by the lake, though the kids looked forward to the smelt dipping and corn roast. The family also has many fond memories of the holidays, with Patricia decorating the house from top to bottom with crafts and decorations she and the children made. Every Christmas, their tree was decorated to the nines with hand crafted ornaments, some of which were too heavy for its branches. Making popcorn balls with her kids, however, was what Patricia enjoyed the most. Aside from popcorn balls, she was an excellent cook, and could put together a meal from practically nothing. Patricias marriage to Gorden ended in divorce after nine years, and she then went to work as a waitress to support her children. Two years later, Patricia met Larry Bolles at the Safari Club and they eventually married. Larry, Patricia and her children then moved to Detroit, and while here, Larry and Patricia added to their family with the births of two daughters, Megan Jo and Leeanna Annie. After two years, the couple decided to move their family to Hesperia, Larrys hometown. Here, Larry worked as a mechanic for some time before becoming a long haul trucker, which was better pay. Because Patricias children were older, she could leave the younger ones in their care and accompany Larry on some of his travels, including to Las Vegas and New York, her most memorable trips. Unfortunately, Patricias marriage to Larry also ended in divorce in 1981. On her own again, Patricia went to work at EPC, and also enrolled in classes at Muskegon Community College, where she proudly earned her Associates Degree. Patricia had always aspired to be a social worker, but because she was either over qualified or under educated, her dream never came to pass. Some years later, Patricia moved to North Muskegon and took a job as a factory worker at Shape Corporation in Grand Haven. However, eight years of rigorous work took its toll on her body, and she ended up having hip and shoulder replacement surgeries. Despite these hurdles, Patricia never slowed down and stayed active with volunteering and held various part-time jobs. Patricia was a woman of great faith, the fabric of her foundation. She was a devout Catholic and longtime member of the Prince of Peace Church in Muskegon, and was very active in the church and its activities. For many years, she taught Catechism classes in her church, and even recruited her kids to help teach a lesson to her class one time, which required them to dress up like clowns. Devoted to her faith, Patricia worked hard to pass these Christian values on to her family. What gave Patricia the greatest joy was sharing herself with her family, offering them the most precious thing she possessed her time. It is a gift none of them will ever forget. Patricia A. O'Callaghan, age 69, died on Friday, February 15, 2008. She is survived by her 2 sons, Patrick (Teri) Green of NC, Terrence (Hope) Green of Hesperia, MI; 4 daughters: Dennise (Johnny) Anderson, Cynthia Clark, both of Muskegon, Megan Bolles of Grand Haven, Leeanna "Annie" (Jeffrey) Malluege of WI; 17 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Michael O'Callaghan of San Antonio, TX, and George (Diane) McCoy of FL. She was preceded in death by her son, Joseph Green, in 2000. Services for Patricia will be held on Tuesday, February 19, at 11:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1110 Dykstra Road, Muskegon, MI.