Patricia Lawrence

Patricia Ann Lawrence, 77, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2015. Pat was born on May 6, 1938, in Muskegon, Michigan, the daughter of Dalton and Helen (Turnyansky) Brooks. She attended Muskegon Heights Public Schools, and later graduated from Muskegon High School. She married Robert L. Collins in 1954, and he preceded her in passing on February 7, 1964. Together they had six children, Jean, Fran, Mark, Tim, Cherie and Tony. She had been employed at Continental Motors, and the pretty young widow fell in love and soon married William D. Lawrence on August 1, 1964, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Together with his children, Lois, Will and Earl, the family expanded further when their union added two more children, Anne and Steve. They made their home in Muskegon, and began to build their dream home on Upper Silver Lake, which they moved into in 1973. Pat worked for the US Post Office from 1975 to 1989. After retiring, the couple enjoyed spending winters in Sun City, Arizona, while summers were spent enjoying their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the lake. Her greatest joy in life was in serving her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by caring for, serving, loving and praying daily for her large family. She had the gift of hospitality, and when you met Pat, you immediately became part of her family. Over the years, she not only ministered daily to her own large and extended family and friends, but she was instrumental in the lives of many people, serving as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, a Bible teacher, volunteering with the Mears Historical Society, and more recently on the board at Cornerstone Church in Mears, where she was a member and Sunday School teacher. She was an avid reader, as well. When her great love, Bill, passed away on September 30, 2011, Pat threw herself even more into the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She never missed remembering birthdays and anniversary of over 100 family members. Over the later years, she began to struggle more with her health, but you'd never know it. It never kept her from doing what she loved. Pat passed quickly and lovingly into the arms of Jesus, and is survived by her eleven children, Lois Ann (Lee) Vernier, William D. (Nancy) Lawrence, Jr., Jean (James) Ritsema, Earl Lawrence, Fran (John) Conner, Mark (Tara) Collins, Tim (Lynn) Collins, Cherie Collins, Tony (Kris) Collins, Anne (David) Cobb, and Steve (Jamie) Lawrence; 29 grandchildren; 20 great- grandchildren; one brother, Richard (Shirley) Brooks; one sister, Mary Signs; one sister-in-law, Loretta (Mike) Timmich; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. She was also preceded in passing by a grandson, Alex Lawrence. A celebration of her life will be held at First Baptist Church, 3258 N. 72nd St. in Hart, on Saturday, August 29th at 12:00 noon. Pat was a giver. In her memory, contributions may be made to Cornerstone Community Church of Mears, Compassion International, Harbor House of Hart, or a charity of your choosing. Her legacy of love will live on in the hearts and lives of her family and friends for many generations to come. Services are provided by Stegenga Funeral Chapel, Belmont. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Patricia Ann Lawrence please visit our Sympathy Store.