Patricia Britton

Patricia Elaine Britton, Age 84, Of Battle Creek, MI, Passed away peacefully and gracefully on Monday, June 15, 2015 at Bronson at Home Hospice Residence in the presence of her loving daughter and longtime caregiver Lora. Her passing comes after a long, fierce and courageous battle from complications suffered after surviving two strokes, one in 2012 and a second in 2015. She was born December 8, 1930 the daughter of Hazel Convis and Cecil Doerr Newton. Patricia married the love of her life, Owen R. Britton on June 19, 1949 after graduating high school. Their marriage of nearly 66 years has been an adventure of all kinds, first with the raising of their five children. From camping trips, fishing trips, scouting trips to Isle Royal, activities with their groups of campfire girls. Vacations to Florida at Christmas during winter break from school to see the grandparents. Trips to Virginia Beach to see Patricia’s oldest and dearest friend or visit to the naval base in Norfolk where their son Mark served in the Navy. Maybe just taking the grandchildren and their youngest daughter to Niagara Falls and New England on summer vacation. The couple enjoyed “49ers” trips with Patricia’s graduation class. Even loading up their Tioga motor-home to head to a Pow Wow in Arizona, they have had quite a life time of adventures, experiences and fun in those 66 years together. Patricia was a graduate of Climax High School class of 1949. She was class president, valedictorian and very involved in the (49ers), a group of classmates that planned many reunion adventures with each other. Some trips included going to: Hawaii, New York, and a River House boating adventure on the Lakes of the Ozarks to name a few. Patricia was a member of CHS girls’ basketball team and girls’ softball team, one of the first H.S. girls’ softball teams to be recognized by the Michigan High School Athletic Association in 1947. Patricia was also an avid bowler. She bowled with friends on league teams for over thirty years. Patricia worked for Battle Creek public Schools for twenty-eight years as a dietician and cafeteria manager retiring in 1992 from Central High School. She was a member of ASFSA. She served as a union steward and president for AFSME. Patricia was extremely involved in the community and providing acts of service. She enjoyed being a leader of the Campfire girls for thirty years (a span that included both of her daughters). It is not surprising Patricia earned CGA highest honor the Guilk Award. Patricia was also den mother for eight years to Boy Scout Pack 319 at Verona School (while her three sons were in scouting). Again her commitment to service earned her the BSA highest award the Silver Beaver. Patricia’s love of volunteering, community service and supporting her family didn’t stop with her own children it carried on to her grandchildren as well. Whether it was a swim-meet, dance recital, band concert, soccer game or marching band event, she made a valiant effort to make it to every event she could, she had the heart of a true BEARCAT. Because it was in her nature she enjoyed supporting others, her family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. If there was a need you could count on Patricia to be there helping out or organizing events. That’s simply the kind of woman and mothering soul she was. Patricia is survived by her husband Owen R. Britton, daughters: Diana Tomlinson(Bob Sellers) of Battle Creek; Lora (Patrick) Waffle of Colon, MI; son, Ralph (Michelle) Britton of Eckford, MI; daughter-in-law, Tracy Britton of Flippin, AR. Grandchildren: Dan (Angela) Britton of Hope Mills, NC; Mat Britton (Fiona LaJoie) of Battle Creek; Bree Tomlinson, Tyler Tomlinson of Charleston, SC; Mitchell (Shelby) Britton of Kalamazoo; Seth Britton of East Lansing, MI; and Jacob Britton of Portage, Indiana. Patricia also was fortunate enough to meet all four of her great-grandchildren, Elijah,Jillian, Jayden and Brooke. Patricia is also survived by many other extended and beloved special friends. The families of: Dan and Shelia Convis, Bob and Becky Storey, Bonnie and Gerald Lagassee; Diana Glispy, Victoria Kohler and William Peirce, Loretta Whitehurst, Sharon Goodwin, Theresa Fuller, Bill Vandegriff , John Lind and Marsha Gruber. Patricia is preceded in death by two of her sons, Walter R. Britton and Mark L. Britton. The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Thursday, June 25, 2015 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Her funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 26, 2015, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, it was Patricia’s wish that you make memorial donations in her name to the following charities: Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer Research, Pink Saturday Funds, 3949 Sparks Drive, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, Bronson at Home Hospice Residence, 5470 Glenn Cross Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015, Humane Society of South Central MI, 2500 Watkins Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015 or the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Summer Youth Camp, Pine Creek Reservation Southern Administration Office, 1485 Mno Bmadzewen Way, Fulton, MI 49052. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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