Patricia A. Stringer

Patricia A. Stringer

Age 78, a longtime resident of Northville, passed away unexpectedly on February 20, 2022. She was born on May 8, 1943, in Youngstown, Ohio; daughter of Paul Vernon and Marybelle (Morrison) Hathhorn.  She graduated from Boardman High School; class of 1961. Pat continued her education at Bowling Green State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in education. During her years at BGSU Pat was a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.  She cherished the bond she made with her sisters and enjoyed meeting other members. With her passion for education, she also achieved a Master’s in Education from the University of Michigan.

Pat started her teaching career in 1965 in Birmingham and Livonia.  With the birth of her children, Pat dedicated her life to her dream of being a mother. She was her children’s rock and faithfully committed her life to them. In 1985, Pat restarted her teaching career within the Northville Public Schools teaching upper elementary, first at Silver Springs and then Thornton Creek elementary schools. She retired in 2000 but never stopped her love of education and her devotion to her students. Pat was a gifted teacher with high expectations and deep care for her students.

She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Northville, where she served on the Board of Trustees and spent countless hours volunteering her time to help others. Every year she looked forward to volunteering for Hospitality Week and enjoyed cooking every Wednesday for FUMC.  Pat involved herself with Sharing Hearts, bible study, and any outreach program available.

With her larger-than-life one-of-a-kind personality Pat drew her friends and family into all of her social activities.  For the past 50 years, Pat enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge, with her neighborhood group. She was a hands-on, over the top grandma, who cherished her time with her grandchildren, teaching them numerous card games and visited with them whenever she could.  She loved music and was an avid gardener who took great pride in the upkeep of her home. Pat loved her neighborhood, was a great host and never shied away from community involvement or a friend in need. Pat will be remembered for her kindness, spunkiness, and her willingness to help others.

She is survived by her children Amy and Jason, their spouses Bill Mowat and Ann Katrin Terlaak and her grandchildren, Finnian, Niels, Annika, Kai, Henry, and Sadie. Pat is loved by her many friends, neighbors, and students. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Thomas Hathhorn, her beloved sister in-law Bonnie Hathhorn and her best friend Kate Balai.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 25, 2022, from 4-8pm at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 11am, instate at 10am at the First United Methodist Church, 777 West 8 Mile, Northville. Rev. Marsha Woolley will officiate the service. Pat will be laid to rest at Rural Hill Cemetery in Northville.

Memorial contributions would be appreciated to the First United Methodist Church – Hospitality Week , Northville Civic Concern , or Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy .