Patsy Jean Mahar

Died February 14, 2006

LAKE LEELANAU - Patsy J. Mahar, 73, of Lake Leelanau, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at her home.

She was born Dec. 7, 1932, in Grand Blanc, the daughter of John and Garnet (Packer) Firestone. On Oct. 18, 1952, in Nashville, Mich., she married Thomas Eugene Mahar, who survives.

As a loving wife and mother, her whole life revolved around caring for and nurturing her children and husband.

Patsy played the organ at St. Cyril's of Nashville, Mich., and was a seamstress for 10 years. After moving to Lake Leelanau, she was a long-time member of St. Mary's Parish, where she played organ for 30 years. She also worked at the fabric store in Lake Leelanau.

She is survived by her spouse; six children, Kathryn Lee (Bill) Smith of Farmington Hills, Marilyn Ann (Curtis) Crow of Traverse City, Annette Marie (David) Andres of Traverse City, Patrick Aaron (Carol) Mahar of Interlochen, Karen Louise (Derek) Botfield of Portage and Matthew Scott (Ashley) Mahar of Clarksville, Tenn.; sisters, Betty (Charles) Miller of Traverse City and Ellen (Fred) Sharp of Clio; half sisters, Linda (Gail) Brovont of Hudsonville and Carol (Ralph) Vogan of West Branch; half brother, Gary (Leota) Firestone of Charlotte; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Patsy was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara; son, Thomas; and grandson, Michael Mahar.

Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 17, from 4 to 8 p.m., with a rosary and vigil service at 7:30 p.m., both at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. A Mass will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary's Parish in Lake Leelanau, with the Rev. Michael Janowski serving as celebrant. A graveside service and burial will be held in Hastings in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic School Scholarship Fund, the Leelanau County Commission on Aging or Munson Hospice House.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.