Patricia Christine McGraw née Keller passed away peacefully on Friday, February 12 after a valiant fight with cancer. During this battle that lasted over 8 years, Pat remained optimistic and joyful never letting her challenges keep her down and her mantra was always “I’m the luckiest girl I know”. After retiring from a career as an elementary school teacher for the Pontiac schools, Pat enjoyed her second career as an artist. Her love of nature and color was as evident in her art as her love of people was evident in her life!
Pat was loved by and will be missed by her brother and sister-in-law, Rick and Jo Keller;
her nephews William (Kerri) Keller and David (Carrie) Keller; grand nephews and grand niece, Ryan, Andrew, Henry and Zoe and many dear friends.
She leaves behind a legacy of joy, kindness and generosity. If you were ever lucky enough to receive one of Pat’s handmade notecards or one of her annual Christmas greetings in rhyme, your world will be a little less colorful now. She was an inspiration to all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of your own choosing could be made in Pat’s memory. She would have loved the variety of giving. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
I wonder what it would be like
To live a life like she;
Everyone a potential friend,
Boundless creativity
After a career in school
An asset to Mark Twain,
She “retired” but went right back to class,
An art student again
She shared her efforts, rightly proud
Whenever we would meet;
Books, paintings, other works,
Some in process, some complete
Her animated stories,
And laugh when we'd play games...
when the family gets together now,
It just won't be the same
I wish we could have another visit
Alas I know we can’t;
As I type, a tear in my eye,
I love and miss my Aunt.
Patricia McGraw was a beautiful soul
Her passing has made us all feel not quite whole
She spread so much joy with her laugh and her smile
She gave so abundantly, that was her style
She taught many students in Pontiac schools
To reach for the stars and follow the rules
Her mem’ry reminds us to live out our passions
Incorporate bright vivid colors in fashions
Don’t take your life quite so seriously
Or go through the motions deliriously
Look at the world as an artist would do
Lift up your friends and your enemies too
She leaves behind brothers and sisters and nieces
Nephews and others, she loved them to pieces.
Farewell Aunt Pat, we will see you again
And we’ll try to live more like you did until then
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