Patricia Ann Lipsey

Patricia Ann Lipsey, 77, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, departed her earthly home in Okemos in the early hours of Sunday, January 21, 2024, to begin her eternal life in Jesus, her Lord and Savior, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Pat was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on March 27, 1946. She was adopted at the age of two by Harvey and Marguerite Kenney and grew up on their farm on Canal Road west of Lansing. She attended Grand Ledge schools before enrolling at Michigan State University in 1964, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 1968.

Within a week of beginning college, Pat met her future husband, Mike, in a Sunday School class at First Christian Church (Disciples) in Lansing. They were married in the church on June 15, 1968.

When Mike entered the service in 1969, Pat joined him in Indianapolis and then in Washington, D.C., where their daughter, Gillian, was born at Walter Reed Army Hospital. In 1972 the couple returned to Lansing where their son, Matthew, was born at St. Lawrence Hospital.

Pat loved helping people and was involved in numerous organizations, including Christian Women’s Club and La Leche League. She held various offices at First Christian Church, taught Sunday school, and was involved in the Caraway puppet ministry for children. She was a member and group leader in Bible Study Fellowship for many years, participated in Precepts Bible study, and was later involved at New Hope Church.

Pat operated a licensed day care business in her home while her children were young. In 1986, Pat was able to begin the career for which she prepared in college, as a Licensed Refugee Foster Caseworker for Lutheran Social Services of Michigan. She helped countless teenagers adapt to new homes and prepare for life in America; she worked with Vietnamese youth for 15 years as well as youth from Haiti, China, and Cuba. She was proud of “her boys,” many of whom continued to stay in touch over the years, sharing their success with her as they completed schooling, found jobs, married, and began families of their own.

Pat loved her children and grandchildren and took great joy spending time with them. She loved planning for the annual “Camp Grandma,” enjoyed shuttling kids to music lessons and sports practices, and made a practice of taking the grandkids to coffee dates before school. Pat was an encourager, and everyone knew the door was always open at Grandma’s house.

Pat is survived by her husband of 55 years, Mike; her daughter, Gillian (Todd) Granger of Williamston, son Matthew (Rida) Lipsey of Tennessee, and son Maxwell (Kim) Tran of Texas; and by eight grandchildren, Claire (Steven) Shallcross of Rochester, MN; Harrison (Hannah) Granger of Buffalo, NY; Emma Granger, August Granger, Rachel Lipsey, Michelle Tran, Alden Tran, and Allison Tran.

Visitation will occur at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 900 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 26; visitation will continue at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, with a service of remembrance, gratitude, and prayer following at 11 a.m. The immediate family will gather afterward at the cemetery for a brief committal service.

The family wishes to acknowledge Sparrow Hospice Services for enabling Pat to remain at home for the last three months before going Home, with special thanks to Nurses Beth and Bill, to Christina and Michelle, and especially to Chimera.