May 13, 1930 ~ June 8, 2025
Patricia Alice Tate, 95, of Shelby, went to be with her Lord, Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Patricia was born on May 13, 1930, at U of M Lying-In Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Later in 1930, she was adopted by a loving couple, Ivan and Hazel (Brown) Lewis, of Hart, Michigan. In 1935, the Lewis family moved to Shelby, where she lived most of her life.
Patricia worked in her father’s grocery business, Cherry Hill Supermarket. She graduated with the class of 1948 from Shelby High School, then attended Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, finishing in Muskegon. Patricia was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves during the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge.
On June 13, 1953, Patricia married Max N. Tate of Crystal Valley. They lived in Flint for a few years before moving to Shelby. She worked at the original Shelby Hospital, then at Oceana Hospital and later for the District 5 Health Department as a family planning nurse until her retirement in April of 1991.
Patricia was a member of the Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ, a charter member of the Oceana County Historical & Genealogical Society, a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a former Girl Scout leader in Shelby for the Michigan Pine and Dunes Council, and a member of: the Lakeshore Ladies Red Hat Society, Oceana County Council on Aging Center, VFW Post 1329 Ladies Auxiliary in Hart, Lakeshore Hospital Guild and a volunteer at Love INC in Shelby.
Patricia enjoyed family activities: her church, crafts, crocheting and reading, as well as traveling to many places, including Alaska with their motorhome and 15 years wintering in Florida.
Patricia is survived by: her daughters, Peggy A. Vallier and Ruth E. Burmeister; grandson, Curtis R. (Patricia) Vallier; granddaughter Brittney C. (Casey) Singer; great-granddaughters, Anneliesa and Miley; and great-grandsons Alexander and Oliver.
Patricia was preceded in death by: her husband, Max N. Tate; son, Paul Tate; daughter, Janet K. Barber and two babies; great-granddaughter, Jaycee Rose Sunshine Vallier; parents, Ivan and Hazel; and half-sister Anna Mary Daugherty Jefferson.
Memorial services will be conducted at noon, Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ, 51 E. Third St., Shelby, Michigan, 49455. Military honors will be presented. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the start of services at the church. Interment will be at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Shelby.
Please consider memorial donations to: Love INC of Oceana County, 191 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, MI 49455; or The Ladder Community Center, 67 N. State St., Shelby, Michigan 49455; or the Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ, Shelby, Michigan.
Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.
