Born in Springfield, Missouri on May 13, 1932, she was the youngest child of Gladys (Woodson) and George Reed Nixon. She was raised on her family farm and lived a happy, carefree childhood surrounded by the animals she loved -- especially her horses. After her graduation from Springfield Sr. High School, she attended Drury College, where she met her future sister-in-law, Mary Agnes, who later introduced Patti to her younger brother, George Thomas Dunlap III (or "Tommy" as Patti affectionately called him). Patti and George were married on April 24,1954 and immediately embarked on a life of adventure -- leaving within three days of their wedding for Oxnard, California, where George was serving with the U.S. Air Force.
Their travels took them across the country in the years ahead, and along the way, Patti and George became parents to three boys: George, Jim and Michael. A fourth son, Robert, died as a newborn in 1964, but thoughts of him were never far from her heart. The family was close knit, and the happiness and best interests of her loved ones was always her top priority.
When the family moved to Defiance in 1970, Patti became immersed in the community and, along with George, became the owners and operators of Peppermint Patti's, a neighborhood ice cream shop that also offered fried chicken, Buckeye Taters and a smile from Patti with every item served.
On May 23, 1984, George died unexpectedly, and Patti decided to move closer to her boys, all of whom had relocated to the Columbus area by then. For many years, she was a familiar face at the local Talbot's, where she worked as a sales associate well into her 70's. Her former customers still marvel at her sense of style and the true class she demonstrated.
Patti's life was not always "smooth sailing". But whatever came at her, she accepted it and carried on. She was a flower gardener and a reader, and had a lifelong appreciation for the Opera and music of all kinds. She especially loved making homemade peanut butter milkshakes for her grandchildren, sipping on wine for "medicinal purposes", showing off her flexible yoga moves to anyone who was remotely interested, spoiling every dog she ever owned, and reminiscing about the old days spent riding her goat, Old Bill. Always up for a lively game of Catch Phrase (making up her own rules every time), she was the life of the party without even trying and could go from being no-nonsense to silly in about two seconds. Just being around her made others feel happy inside. She was the consummate supporter and the biggest cheerleader, endearing herself to young and old alike.
Even when her body grew frail as age and memory loss set in, she still lit up at the mention of her grandchildren -- and her love for them was evident from the beginning. She was the giver of advice and the keeper of secrets; she loved unconditionally, and had the unique ability to make each and every family member feel as though she cherished them the most. In recent years, she became re-acquainted with the Bible, and attempted to read from it every day. Her family takes comfort in knowing she had a relationship with Jesus and is now resting in eternal peace with Him.
Patti leaves behind her loving family: George T. Dunlap IV and his wife, Nancy, of Fremont, Ohio; James P. Dunlap and his wife, Belinda, of East Liverpool, Ohio; and Michael D. Dunlap and his wife, Teri, of Plain City, Ohio. There are six grandchildren: Thomas Dunlap and his wife, Emma; Amy Dunlap and her partner, Blake Anderson; Katie Kuznik and her husband, Eric; Jessica Couchman and her husband, Brent; George Dunlap V and his partner, Lauren Sprenger; and Kristen Nicol and her husband, Brent. In addition, Patti was also great-grandma to her six "blessings": Quinn and Piper Couchman, Oliver Kuznik, Grant and Penelope Dunlap and Ivy Nicol, as well as her beloved rescue dog, Mr. Todd.
A sister, Julie Adams, and sister-in-law, Winifred Nixon also survive in Springfield, MO, as well as several nieces and nephews, and Dunlap in-laws with whom she maintained a close relationship. In addition to her husband and son, she was preceded in death by her brother, George Reed Nixon, Jr.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Capital City Hospice, 2800 Corporate Exchange Drive, Columbus 43231, or the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center.
Funeral Services will be held at Schoedinger Funeral Home, 6699 North High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085, on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 1pm, with her nephew, Deacon Robert Dunlap of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Edmund, Oklahoma, as the officiant. Visitation will be from 11am until the time of the service. The service will be live streamed. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will follow the service and go until 5pm.
Patti will be laid to rest beside her husband at Union Cemetery in Columbus.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.8.18