Patricia Marie Pioszak, fondly known as “Miss Pat” passed away comfortably in the early hours of January 29, 2025, in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan, where she lived. She was born on March 18, 1930, to Michael and Anna (Dauphine) Tobin in Detroit, Michigan.
Pat moved as a child along with her family to Alma, Michigan. She graduated from the Education Department at Central Michigan University and began her teaching career at Pullan Elementary School. She taught in Shepard, Michigan, Battle Creek, Michigan, and finally settled in St. Johns, Michigan, with her husband William Joseph Pioszak of Ludington, Michigan. There, she taught kindergarten and second grade at Perrin Palmer Elementary and Central School until she retired in 1985. She was a positive influence, touching the lives of hundreds of children throughout her career. Miss Pat never forgot the name or faces of her students, their parents, or their children.
Pat and Bill were lucky enough to purchase a cottage on Birch Lake near Elk Rapids, Michigan, where she was an active member of the Elk Rapids Golf Club. She was fond of saying and demonstrating “the more the merrier” throughout her life, constantly hosting family and friends in both St. Johns and Birch Lake. She also lived by the adage “you like it, I like it,” which made her the most agreeable and pleasant person anyone could be around. After her retirement, she traveled with family to places of her origin: Nova Scotia (where her mother was from), Newfoundland (where her father was from), Ireland (where everyone was from), and Poland (where her husband's family was from).
Pat is survived by her five boys and their spouses, William Scott (Karen), Timothy Paul (Kathi), Thomas Michael (Judy), Jeffrey Alan (Christine), Paul Robert (Jane); ten wonderful grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, William; and siblings, Dolores, John, George, Anna (Tillie), Michael, and Mary.
A Memorial Gathering will be announced in the summer of 2025.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Miss Pat’s honor to McKinley Manor, 2023 W. 4th Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, or Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
Obituary as submitted by family.
