Patricia Ann (Stefanski) Armelagos

January 5, 1933 - October 24, 2014

 

Patricia Ann Armelagos was born on January 5, 1933 in Newberry, Michigan.  Her father, Joseph Stefanski was a lumberjack and a farmer.  Her mother, Thelma Clark was a homemaker and also helped with the farming.  Together they raised Patricia on their family farmstead. Joseph and Thelma were hard working Americans of Polish and French decent.  Although they were very poor, they were rich in faith and family values.

Patricia grew up in a small, rural, Upper Peninsula town near the Tahquamenon Falls.  The Newberry Chamber of Commerce claims the area is the moose capital of Michigan.  Patricia was raised to value family and hard work.  She and her sisters Shirley and Charlotte lost their father when Patricia was 7 years old.  Joseph passed away after a tragic, out of state car accident. 

Thelma eventually remarried a man named John Woods.  Patricia would welcome four new siblings after their marriage: Alberta, Larry, Janice and Margaret. They were a strong family who spent much of their time outside of their rural home. 

Patricia had a simple and happy but poor childhood.  She spent time swimming in nearby lakes and ponds, working on the farm and chasing chickens—even breaking their necks.  She recalled eating ketchup sandwiches when money was tight.  At the center of her life were her parents and siblings.  Family always remained most important.  Patricia also spent time with cousins who lived nearby.

Patricia started high school in Newberry and she began working at the Newberry State Hospital.  There she became fond of nursing.  Before graduating, she moved downstate to live with an aunt and uncle from her father’s side in Royal Oak, Michigan.  While a junior in high school, she became a drum majorette. 

After receiving early acceptance into college, Patricia attended Eastern Michigan University.  She was beginning her studies in Ypsilanti when she met Harry John Armelagos.  The two met working at the state psychiatric hospital in Ypsilanti.  Harry joked that she was never given permission to leave the psychiatric hospital. 

Patricia and Harry had a short courtship and fell in love.  In April of 1953 they were married at McKenny Hall on the campus of EMU and held their reception at Haabs Restaurant nearby.  They moved into their first apartment above Harry’s parents’ store in Melvindale.  His parents, John and Ashimo Armelagos were two Greek immigrant business owners. 

Patricia and Harry were opposites in many ways but shared a love of family.  Harry was hardworking but not very religious.  Patricia’s faith was unshakeable and she completely trusted in God.  Harry was co-owner of Taylor A.C. Bar with his brothers and many pizzerias.  His idea of a great trip was to a local hotel not far from home.  Patricia loved to go up north to visit family and traveled to Jerusalem, Israel, Germany and other places for both pleasure and as a missionary, spreading the “Good News” and her faith in Jesus Christ.

Together with Harry, Patricia raised five children of her own.  She was a smiling, happy, loving, cheerleader for all of them.  The children all have many memories of Patricia and her devotion to them.  Patricia loved taking the children to the Saunders Ice Cream Parlor for hot fudge sundaes that was located inside the Sears shopping complex.   Nick recalls that she would take him to all his sporting events and go on bike rides for ice cream.  James remembers coming out for breakfast and finding his dad reading the paper in the dining room while his mom would be in the kitchen reading her Bible.

All the children remember that family came first.  Patricia met several times a week for meals or coffee with her mother-in-law.  They spent time taking trips to Camp Dearborn.  They have memories of Patricia grilling lamb chops in the cold of winter for Nick.  She always enjoyed taking care of her family, preparing daily hot meals for Ashimo and her brother-in-law Nick Armelagos.  She also cooked for many other people including neighbors and friends.  Family recalls that Patricia and her mother-in-law would get together often and take drives around the Downriver Area to enjoy each other and their new automobiles.

After Harry passed away, Patricia still worked at the bar.  To remind patrons that they were drinking too much, she would leave their empty bottles in front of them.  Family recalls that she stopped a robbery at the bar one day.  A man came in demanding money and she shouted, “In the name of Jesus, drop that money!”  Sure enough, the man dropped most of the money that day.

Patricia made sure to find time to enjoy life.  She loved to go to the Fisher Theater, shopping at Jacobson’s, going to the movies, bike rides and taking walks with or without her grandchildren to the local McDonald’s.  Harry's business success allowed Patricia to enjoy some of the finer things in life.  She went from a young girl wearing a "potato sack" to a mature lady putting on a mink coat to attend a Broadway quality production.  Above all, Patricia loved her faith and to worship God.  She remained closely connected to Trinity United Methodist Church for many of her adult years and “Women’s Aglow”—a faith supported missionary group for women.  She hosted a bible study in her home every Tuesday. 

Her family remembers her saying, “Praise the Lord!” which they affectionately abbreviated to “PTL”.  James remembered a time when he and some friends were misbehaving and Patricia shouted across the street, “Jimmy, Praise the Lord, you’re not misbehaving, are you?”  Making her friends laugh hysterically. She also ministered to prisoners and to troubled girls at the Vista Maria group home for women. 

Patricia’s strong relationship with God was even revealed in her latter years when having moved into an Assisted Living Apartment, she was known by her neighbors for weekly initiated Bible studies and even speaking at the Dinner Table inviting residents to attend. The Pastor encouraged her to “knock on” resident doors. This was so important to Patricia that she shared this each time her children visited.

Patricia Ann Armelagos passed away at the age of 81 on October 24, 2014 in Farmington Hills.  She was the beloved wife of the late Harry John.  She was the loving mother of John (Tina), George (Pat), James (Laurie), Sylvia (Victor) Fryling & Nick (Annette).  She was the proud grandmother of Holly, Corey, Christopher, Leah, Gayle (Nathan), Melina, Amber, Marina & Luke. She was the dear sister of Shirley, Charlotte, Larry, Margaret & the late Alberta & Janice.

Patricia’s life will be celebrated Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at McCabe Funeral Home in Canton.  Guests may pay their respects Wednesday from 3 PM until the Memorial Service at 5 PM. Memorial contributions can be directed to the Alzheimer's Association or Season's  Hospice.

 

 

 

 

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