Obituary of Patricia Joan Hess
Patricia Joan Hammell was born in Lima, Ohio on November 18, 1930. She was the daughter of Florenze and Dorothy (Langley) Hammell. She married the love of her life: Lawrence Hess, on March 11, 1948, in Angola, Indiana.
Patricia tended to the needs of her husband and children as a stay-at-home mom. Blessed with the birth of six mouths to feed, Patricia, was always in search of unique ways to stretch the almighty dollar. One way she accomplished this goal was by using her skills as a talented seamstress to make clothing for her children to wear. Another labor of love became maintaining a large vegetable garden in her yard. This garden, consisting mostly of tomatoes and green beans, would be canned at the end of each summer, and the bountiful harvest provided food for the entire family, in some form, for most of the year.
Although, Patricia did not finish high school as a teen she had a lifelong love of learning. She returned to the classroom later in life and proudly obtained her goal of earning her high school diploma, graduating from Erie Mason High School in 1988. She then enrolled in college courses to obtain her associates degree in science.
Patricia was always the hostess with the mostest. She enjoyed entertaining in her home, sharing many holiday traditions, but none so essential as her special apricot and walnut pastries prepared with an old family recipe passed down from generation to generation. The dish was certainly a special treat for all of those in attendance.
She kept her mind active and socially engaged enjoying BINGO every Tuesday at the Luna Pier Senior Center. Prior to the pandemic she went nearly five years without missing a game.
Patricia Joan Hess, age 91, of Erie, passed away at 8:04am on Thursday; July 14, 2022, at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital. Her passing was preceded by her parents; her husband of nearly seventy years: Lawrence; an infant son: Lawrence, Jr.; three grandsons: Shaun LaPointe, Brian Hester, Daniel Hester; two grandchildren: Jordan Nicole Hester and William Withycombe; and one sister: June.
To cherish her memory Patricia leaves five daughters: Patricia Ann Ellison of Cape Coral, Florida, Linda (Kris) Hester of Cape Coral, Florida, Kathryn (Jeff) Reid of Reading, Michigan, Mary Harvey of Toledo, Ohio, and Dorothy (Gary) Williams of Coldwater, Michigan; a son: Lawrence “Larry” Christopher (Alison) Hess of Toledo; Ohio; seventeen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may gather from 10:00am until 12:00pm on Tuesday; July 19, 2022 at Merkle Funeral Service, Erie; 9156 Summit Street, Erie, Michigan 48133 (734) 317-7199. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 12:00pm also at Merkles. Procession will then follow to Ottawa Hills Memorial Park in Toledo, Ohio for burial.
Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.
