Patricia M. Birch

Patricia Mary Birch, 94 of Lauderdale by the Sea FL passed away peacefully July , 2021. She was born to Nellie Walsh Arenz and Charles Arenz both deceased. Patricia is survived by her son John, her Sister Nancy Gass, her brother John Arenz. She was a loving wife of 64 years to her late husband John. A thoughtful mother-in-law to Tanya, a very special grandmother to her Grandsons Jack and Jacob. A loving Godmother and Aunt to Larry and caring Aunt to Mary Ellen, Kathy, Tom, Sue, Steve, and John and grand Aunt to all their children.

Patricia was very proud of her small home town of Marquette, Ml she stayed there through college at Northern Michigan University and was the church organist and a elementary school teacher as her first jobs. She received her Master's degree from the University of Michigan in Music and devoted most of her life to teaching elementary students to play instruments and sing in the choir. While directing and leading these small school bands and orchestras she introduced thousands of children to the happiness of making music. The thank you cards and gifts for her as a teacher were piled high in our home as she gave back to the community of Grosse Pointe, Ml with tireless effort. I remember her being contacted by former students that were still thanking her years later for their start in music.

My Mom taught me that a good home was not dependent on the size of it, it wasn't the condition or the amount of contents but it was all about the people in the home caring and supporting one another. My Mom used to tell me her favorite holiday was Mother's Day and truly she made every moment count as a mother. My mom on cold winter mornings used to warm my school clothes by the heat vent to encourage me out of bed, she'd make me homemade milkshakes after school and always saved the last treats in the house for me. She encouraged me to try every sport and to continue trying my best even when I was scared or nervous. Every time we were together and on each phone call, she was clearly grateful for the time spent and the feelings shared. She told me often she was proud of us and she was particularly proud of her 2 grandsons, she always took the time to listen and learn about their accomplishments. She would often research in great detail every aspect of their activities, teams, teachers, school events and then would share details of the event we may not have seen or known without her research.

Patricia was an amazing friend to those who knew her, she'd most often rather give in than create conflict, her strength and genuine kindness was always apparent and calming. When we'd be driving somewhere, we'd pull into nursing homes frequently. As a child I'd ask who was that or are they related to us and she'd say something like, "they were a friend of your grandma's or a teacher I worked with, they are alone now and I thought they'd enjoy some company". She did this throughout her life even when she traveled up to Michigan at 92 for my dad's funeral service, she directed us to stop to visit a former neighbor who was alone and living in a nursing home. She believed in the closeness of family and spoke with her brother and sister every day. No matter what we all encountered during a day, she would consistently close out the day, by saying "we had a good day" and gave me a hug and would say her prayers before going to sleep.

People express love in different ways. My Mom liked to say "keep in touch" to family, and friends as her way of reminding people to love one another and to keep in touch. She did more than just say it, she acted on this saying by remembering everyone's birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and countless other events. She was never too busy to send a card with a handwritten note or to reach out with a phone call.

Patricia choose not to travel as much as she could have because she found everything she was looking for was right in front of her. Whether it was trees in the yards, flowers in the gardens, birds in the sky or just the passing by of people in the neighborhood she found delight in every moment of time that God had provided her. She truly appreciated Vestha her caregiver who's devotion to her care and wellbeing allowed her to stay in her comfortable home. She frequently told me about how grateful she was of her wonderful neighbors in the Palm Club who offered kind words, smiles, meals and gifts for her.

She enjoyed playing golf a few days a week, not because she was looking for a great score or trying to win but rather to share good companionship and to enjoy nature. We frequently talked more about the height of the neighboring corn fields than how to make the next shot. When the corn stocks were taller than us we knew it was time for both of us to go back to school in the fall.

Patricia was a devoted Catholic, her faith in God and the Church guided her and our family to our best possible life, her kindness, strength, and her happiness I believe all were a result of her devotion. In the last week of her life, she was challenged to walk and nourish herself but it didn't change her happy outlook, never sad or angry, she was truly at peace on Earth and now in heaven. Patricia is in our hearts giving us a hug and guiding us all towards another good day.