Patricia Ruth Shahade Michel, 88, of Austin, TX, passed away on November 8, 2022, after a courageous battle with vascular dementia.
“The best mother in the world!” is how her four children describe “Patty” Michel, but she was so much more.
The youngest of seven, Patty was born on April 4, 1934, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to George and Mary Jaber Shahade. After graduating from Westmount High School, Patty went on to study Education at The University of Miami, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1956.
After graduation, Patty returned to her hometown of Johnstown and taught physical education. It was there where Patty met her future husband of more than 62 years, Jack Michel. They wed in 1960, and went on to have four children, John, Mary, Thomas and Lorri.
Not long after John was born, Patty decided to dedicate her life to becoming the amazing mother she was. Nothing meant more to her. Patty was a fiercely dedicated mom to her children, loving and supporting them through the many passions and seasons of their lives. Family came first to Patty and was above all else, a value she instilled in those around her. The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill for anyone who knew and loved her.
When the children were older, Patty rejoined the work force by obtaining her real estate license, becoming a million-dollar annual seller in the 1980’s and went on to jewelry sales, as well as developing many lifelong interests and passions.
When Patty wasn’t filling her home with homemade meals, warmth and kindness, she could be found on the golf course, playing a passionate game of bridge, gardening, or playing tennis. Patty loved sports, both participating and watching. She rarely missed a Pittsburgh Steelers or Notre Dame football game and in later life became an avid San Antonio Spurs fan.
Patty was also an ardent life-long reader and lover of classical music. As a child, when her parents traveled to New York City for shopping trips, Patty was asked what she wanted them to bring her from New York. The answer was always the same – Books! Simply put, Patty was filled with love, enthusiasm, intelligence, fun and laughter. She was not only the mother everyone wished they had, but she was also the person you wanted to sit next to at a dinner party.
Patty was predeceased by her parents and six older siblings, Fredrick, Raymond, Loretta, Raymond, Samuel and William. She is survived by her husband Jack, her four children and their spouses – John and Maggie Michel, Tom and Mary Weber, Thomas Michel, and Lorri Michel and Michael Ginsberg, her four grandchildren – Sophie Birdwell and husband Blake, Jack Michel, Luke Michel and Sean Michel, and three great grandchildren – Bridger Birdwell, Betty Birdwell, and Breck Birdwell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in honor of Patty to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization that meant so much to her and she supported, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
A celebration of life service for immediate family will be held over the Christmas Holidays.
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