Patricia Joan "Patt" Powers Obituary (1931 - 2016)

Patricia (Patt) Powers 1931-2016 Lansing, Michigan Patt Powers passed October 6, 2016 in the care of loving friends and family and with the compassionate support of Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. She had lived with Alzheimer's Disease for several years. She was preceded in death by her parents, John McCue Powers and Grace Miley Powers, and her brother, Donald McCue Powers. Patt was born March 23, 1931 in New York, NY. She was educated by the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame at the Villa Maria Academy and was a proud graduate of the prestigious Parsons School of Design. An accomplished professional artist, Patt built a distinguished career in Lansing after relocating from New York in 1962. She worked as a fashion illustrator and creative services director for both the J.W. Knapp Company and the Lansing State Journal. Patt's prizewinning wildlife art--her passion--was unique and admired by many Mid-Michigan art lovers. She was a marvel; anything her eyes saw, her hands could duplicate. A vivacious and fiercely independent woman, Patt lived life with gusto, on her own terms. She served on the Board of Potter Park Zoo as an expression of her love for animals and to promote their welfare; as a wildlife art contest judge; as a Bicentennial Revolutionary War Reenactment Kilted Unit member; as the Lansing Laurels women's travel softball league scorekeeper; as a Habibi belly dancer. She was a master seamstress, a talented pianist and singer, and an avid photographer. Patt was known far and wide for her style, loyalty, generosity, and unorthodox sense of humor. While she was diminutive in stature, Patt's personality was out-sized and unique. She was loved for her eccentricity, her unflagging devotion to friends, family, and co-workers, and for her baking--her biscotti and cheesecake were unrivaled. Patt is survived by her loving cousin Maureen (Eric) Flood; second cousins/nephews Eric (E.J.) Flood, John Flood, Scott Flood, and Richard Flood. Having grown up like sisters, Patt and Maureen went to school hand-in-hand, shared cherished childhood memories, and were inextricably linked by mutual affection, respect, and experience. Patt's adopted family, Margot and Mark Kielhorn, Erika Kielhorn Hefke, and Caitlin Kielhorn Hutchinson, will miss her constant presence and involvement in their lives--she never missed a band concert, dance recital, choir performance, skating show, birthday, holiday celebration, trip to camp, or a chance to go shoe shopping. In keeping with Patt's wishes, there will be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Capital Area Humane Society or St. Jude Children's Hospital. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Manchester Michigan, near the love of her life, John. To share memories and condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com