B. Patricia "Pat" Rankin's Obituary
Bernice Patricia ("Pat") Rankin, age 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at the Lakeview Terrace Assisted Living. She was born on March 23, 1937, in Benzonia, MI, the daughter of Myrtice Bailey Maddock and Neil E. Maddock. Pat graduated from Benzonia High School in 1955, and from Central Michigan University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education.On August 25, 1957, Pat married her high school sweetheart, Donald K. Rankin, Jr., in Benzonia, MI. She will be greatly missed by her children, Julie (Michael) Lohff of Janesville, WI, and Jyll (Scott) Mitchell of Lakeview, MI; her twin grandsons, Aaryn (Raychel Nielsen) Mitchell of Lakeview, and Addison (Britney Schoen) of Lakeview; one brother, Jeffrey Lynn (Pamela) Maddock of Fenton, MI, and one sister, Mary (Larry) Ambos of Columbia, SC; sisters-in-laws, Judy Maddock of Loganville, GA, Kathleen Rice of Spring Arbor, MI, Judith Herban of Benzonia, MI, Christine Sharrow of Traverse City, MI, and one brother-in-law, Gary Rankin of Traverse City, MI, 8 nieces and nephews, as well as several great nieces and nephews.Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Donald K. Rankin, Jr.; her mother and father, Myrtice and Neil E. Maddock; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bernice and Donald K. Rankin Sr.; brother, Neil C. Maddock; and sister-in-law, Victoria Rankin.Pat began her career teaching kindergarten in 1960 in Sault St. Marie, MI, and moved to Lakeview in 1963 where she continued her career teaching 5th grade Math, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade Art, and ending with 7th grade Social Studies when she retired in 1994.Pat was a member of the Lakeview United Church of Christ, a lifetime member of the Michigan Order of the Eastern Stars, the Lakeview Education Association, the Kelsey Hospital Guild, and numerous other organizations.Pat owned and operated the Jewel Box at the Peddler's Patch in Lakeview where she bejeweled the community for numerous years. She had a special talent for oil painting, and her talent for creativity was endless. She loved painting, reading, baking, bird watching, jigsaw puzzles and playing cards (Five Crowns card game), Spinner dominoes and Scrabble. She especially enjoyed watching her grandsons in all of their sporting events throughout their school years and was so proud of the young men they have become. She most treasured her time with her family and especially her twin grandsons and their girlfriends. She will be remembered for her time living at the Lakeview Terrace and keeping the residents and staff members on their toes. She always had a candy jar for anyone that came to visit, but most importantly, for the staff. She and her special friends Ede and Belva were known to the residents as the girls at the "rowdy table."Pat's family wishes to extend their most heartfelt appreciation to the staff at the Lakeview Terrace. They greatly appreciate the care, compassion and friendship that was extended to her and to the entire family.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Lakeview United Church of Christ with visitation from 11:00 a.m. to time of service at 1:00 p.m. with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be at a later date at Benzonia Township Cemetery, Benzonia, MI.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lakeview United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 559, Lakeview, MI 48850, or the Tamarack District Library for children's programming at 832 S. Lincoln Ave., Lakeview, MI, 48850. Condolences can be made by utilizing the guest book at www.brighamfuneralchapel.com
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