Margaret Alicia "Lish" Patch Oldham's Obituary
April 10, 1927 -- December 21, 2018
Margaret Alicia (or "Lish") Patch Oldham, age 91, passed away peacefully at her home after a long illness, on December 21, 2018. Born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1927, she lived for 10 years at Six Lakes, Michigan, before moving in 1986 to Chippewa Lake, Michigan.
Alicia was an amazing woman! A self-taught and diverse local artist, poet, and storyteller, she put off her dreams of pursuing art and poetry while she and her husband raised 9 children.
Her interest in poetry began when she was only 5 years old. Her teacher asked her to memorize a poem to recite on stage during a school play. Alicia began creating artwork and writing poems for personal enjoyment. She sketched a variety of images and portraits of movie stars like Clark Gable and Bette Davis. Later, she drew her own unique Christmas cards, and created collage art and paintings. She joined a poetry group in Big Rapids. It wasn't until she was 80 years old that she had her first public "fine arts" exhibit.
Since then, she has exhibited her artwork and performed poetry readings at various venues around Grand Rapids and Big Rapids, including the International Festival of Cultures at Ferris State University. She participated eight times in "ArtPrize", an international art competition held in Grand Rapids. She may have been the oldest ArtPrize contestant in 2018, at age 91! Her poems and artwork have been printed in local papers. She was interviewed by radio and TV personalities. You can view her artwork, poetry, and video-poems at the Artprize Website, www.artprize.org under her artist name, Alicia Patch Oldham.
Although 2018 was a difficult year due to illness, she was able to attend Artprize, the Wheatland Music Festival, and her family reunion. She was proud of and cared deeply about her family, including her 9 children, 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Her sister, Ellen, once surprised her with the "trip of a lifetime" to Ireland. They traveled together to the land of their ancestors -- the place of their grandmother's birth. Alicia wrote poems and stories about family, and documented family history for future generations. She made everyone feel special by remembering and contacting them on birthdays and special occasions.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Carlton Oldham; her father, Hiram Leon Patch; mother, Elizabeth Veronica "Von" (Waters) Patch (of Six Lakes); siblings, John Edward Patch (who died at 3 months), Lawrence Richard Patch (who died at birth), Germaine Terese (Patch) Saar, Albert Leon Patch, Victor Raymond Patch; daughter, Nancy Jane (Oldham) Kastel; grandson, Gregory Allen Baker. And also her dear friend, Shirley June LaBo, with whom she had a rare "lifelong friendship" for 90 years!
Her Catholic faith and optimistic outlook helped her face her medical challenges. Alicia was an inspiration to others. She encouraged and nurtured their talents. Many of Alicia's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren followed in her footsteps by pursuing artistic, writing, musical, and other creative endeavors.
Alicia will always be loved, cherished, and missed by her family and everyone who knew her. Left to treasure her memory are her children, Randall Raymond (and Maryanne) Oldham; Veronica "Ronnie" Woods (and Michael Harry Baker); Ricky Brian (JoAnn) Oldham; Rory Kevin (Diana) Oldham; Bonnie Ellen Stearman (aka Bonnie Waters); Mary Monica Oldham; Gary Thomas Oldham; and Lisa Carol Oldham.
The family would like to thank Lisa Oldham, who was her main care provider, who gave such tender, loving care to Alicia, that made it possible for her to remain in her home during her illness. Thanks, also, to Mary, and all of the family, friends, doctors, and medical staff who helped her and brought her comfort.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the family.
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