Obituary for Patricia Lynn Simmons (Gray)
Patricia (Pat/Patty) Lynn Simmons, 71, of Battle Creek, MI passed away June 2, 2021 at home surrounded by her family. Pat was born on Aug. 11, 1949 to Jack and Donna (Williams) Gray, she was preceded in death by her mother.
Pat is survived by her husband, very best friend, finish each other’s sentence and every inside joke knower, David Simmons. Daughter, Shannon (Greg) Flesch, who she loved to lakeshore shop with, and help with painting projects. Daughter, Sarah Krupinski (Bill Rex), who she shared a lifelong love of horses with. And her 3 perfect (in her words) grandsons, Jarrod (Allie) Flesch, Mitchell Flesch, and Benson Krupinski. She had a special bond with each of her grandsons and she did everything she could to make sure that they knew how loved they were. Also surviving among her favorite people are her sister/best friend, Kathy McDonald, who she loved to shop, eat and laugh with, and her sister-in-law/best friend, Sally (Pat) Tichenor, who she loved to go to Hilton Head with every year. She is also survived by her dad, Jack (Donna) Gray, in-laws, Pete (Tomi) Simmons, Marcy (Tom) Quinn, special friends, Michael (MO) and Linda O’Keefe and lots of nieces, nephews and other friends. She and her best friend from elementary school, Sharon McFellin, were among a group of lifelong friends who called themselves the 49’ers and they would all go on a girls trip every year.
Pat graduated from Lakeview High School and married Dave on November 18, 1967. She retired from State Farm Insurance in 2012.
Pat loved things like reading and gardening and watching the Tigers but she would drop everything for a chance to spend time with her family. She was the loudest (usually in a good way, but not always) spectator at all of her 3 grandsons’ sporting events. She loved to shop and explore all year long for the perfect gifts for everyone and she was the best at finding unique personal gifts for everyone at Christmas which was her favorite day of the year.
Her absolute most favorite time of the year was every fall when she and Dave would go up north to Traverse City for more than a week in October. They would have a couple of quiet relaxing days to themselves followed by several crazy, loud, fun days and late nights with their daughters and their families and she looked forward to it more than anything.
Bad calls at any sporting event (everything from school sports to televised sports), bad service (retail, restaurants), politics and the Battle Creek Enquirer were things that really got her fired up!
When she was first diagnosed with cancer and facing chemo she only had one thing to say to the Dr. “I’ll be there, as long as it doesn’t interfere with Hilton Head or Traverse City!”
A social gathering to celebrate the life she lived will be held at Riverside Country Club on June 27, 2021 between 2 - 5pm. Appetizers will be provided.
Don’t wear black unless it’s your favorite color.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the Ronald McDonald House.
She will be missed by anyone who was lucky enough to know her.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com
Pat is survived by her husband, very best friend, finish each other’s sentence and every inside joke knower, David Simmons. Daughter, Shannon (Greg) Flesch, who she loved to lakeshore shop with, and help with painting projects. Daughter, Sarah Krupinski (Bill Rex), who she shared a lifelong love of horses with. And her 3 perfect (in her words) grandsons, Jarrod (Allie) Flesch, Mitchell Flesch, and Benson Krupinski. She had a special bond with each of her grandsons and she did everything she could to make sure that they knew how loved they were. Also surviving among her favorite people are her sister/best friend, Kathy McDonald, who she loved to shop, eat and laugh with, and her sister-in-law/best friend, Sally (Pat) Tichenor, who she loved to go to Hilton Head with every year. She is also survived by her dad, Jack (Donna) Gray, in-laws, Pete (Tomi) Simmons, Marcy (Tom) Quinn, special friends, Michael (MO) and Linda O’Keefe and lots of nieces, nephews and other friends. She and her best friend from elementary school, Sharon McFellin, were among a group of lifelong friends who called themselves the 49’ers and they would all go on a girls trip every year.
Pat graduated from Lakeview High School and married Dave on November 18, 1967. She retired from State Farm Insurance in 2012.
Pat loved things like reading and gardening and watching the Tigers but she would drop everything for a chance to spend time with her family. She was the loudest (usually in a good way, but not always) spectator at all of her 3 grandsons’ sporting events. She loved to shop and explore all year long for the perfect gifts for everyone and she was the best at finding unique personal gifts for everyone at Christmas which was her favorite day of the year.
Her absolute most favorite time of the year was every fall when she and Dave would go up north to Traverse City for more than a week in October. They would have a couple of quiet relaxing days to themselves followed by several crazy, loud, fun days and late nights with their daughters and their families and she looked forward to it more than anything.
Bad calls at any sporting event (everything from school sports to televised sports), bad service (retail, restaurants), politics and the Battle Creek Enquirer were things that really got her fired up!
When she was first diagnosed with cancer and facing chemo she only had one thing to say to the Dr. “I’ll be there, as long as it doesn’t interfere with Hilton Head or Traverse City!”
A social gathering to celebrate the life she lived will be held at Riverside Country Club on June 27, 2021 between 2 - 5pm. Appetizers will be provided.
Don’t wear black unless it’s your favorite color.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the Ronald McDonald House.
She will be missed by anyone who was lucky enough to know her.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com