Patsy "Pat" Garrison

A radiant woman from the inside out, Patsy Garrison truly made the most of each and every moment she was granted. She was a shining example of kindness and compassion, and she was always content to step aside and run things in the background so that others could have the spotlight. Nothing brought Pat greater joy than spending time with her friends and family. Her selfless heart allowed her to graciously serve those around her, leaving an unforgettable impact on so many. Deeply loved, Pat will be forever missed and cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

The early 1940s are remembered as some of the most tumultuous years in history as WWII raged on. In the United States, many brave servicemen were called away from home while those who remained stateside faced strict rationing and clung to their radios for news. During such a dark time, however, there was a ray of light on the horizon for Henry and Mabel Forbes of Lawton, Michigan, as they excitedly awaited the arrival of their daughter. It was on November 10 of 1943 that they were happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Patsy Marie.

Being raised on the family farm in Lawton taught Pat the importance of hard work and responsibility at a young age, and there were plenty of chores to be done. She and her four siblings, Gladys, Rex, and Harold, Veda came 18 years later. They were a mischievous bunch. Despite being known to hurl bricks at each other, the Forbes siblings were very close and were always there for each other when it mattered most. As a girl, Pat certainly lived up to her red-headed tendencies and was a feisty spirit from a young age. Pat was in charge of setting the milk cans on the porch for the milk man, then bringing them back in. One time she had to put on her mother’s coat to get the cows in to feed. She was extremely family-oriented and would remain close to her siblings throughout her entire life. Pat spent her entire childhood in her hometown of Lawton and attended local schools.

Following her graduation from Lawton High School in the early 1960s, Pat began working at WL Molding. It wasn’t long before she got married and welcomed her first daughter, Judy, into her arms. A strong woman who faced every obstacle with determination, Pat navigated her divorce with a young Judy to look after and while pregnant with her second baby. She was a single mother from 1967 to 1970, all the while going above and beyond to provide for her kids. Being a mom to, Judy, Mike, and Amie was Pat’s greatest pride and joy. She found great comfort in knowing that she could always lean on the support of her parents and siblings. Pat once locked Mike and Judy out of the house so they could burn off some of their energy, only to find that they ran off to Grandma and Grandpa Forbes’s house instead!

Pat was blessed to meet her soulmate, David, in 1970. He asked to fix her dryer, and the rest was history. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Pat and David were married in 1971. The two were inseparable, a perfect match in every way. David was Pat’s rock and the love of her life. Later on, Pat was overjoyed to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. She doted on her grandkids, and they knew they could always call her to get out of trouble. Though she never learned to ride herself, Pat passed her love for horses down to her grandchildren. She enjoyed watching their football games, and any other events they were into.

Over the years, Pat built a successful and fulfilling career for herself at General Motors. After taking some time off to fully dedicate herself to her growing family as a stay-at-home mom, she returned to work in 1972. Pat often drove to and from the GM plant in Indiana. When her mother’s health began to decline and the commute became too much, Pat made the decision to retire in order to better care for her family. She stepped into retirement in 2001, the very day she heard her mother would be going into hospice. Pat’s choice to retire only proved her devotion to her family.

Never one to sit still for long, Pat had many ways to keep herself busy in her free time, and not even losing her sight in 2012 could slow her down. She would go to all kinds of events with an electric scooter and zip around with a family member as her guide. Pat liked going to Lions club events and lunches, and she ended up getting quite involved with them. She loved to be included in everything from grocery shopping with her detailed list to getting together with the family. Christmas was Pat’s favorite holiday. She especially enjoyed Judy’s pistachio pudding, known in the family as the “green stuff,” and she needed her own portion every holiday. Hearing the laughter of the kids was Pat’s favorite sound.

When reflecting on the life of Patsy Garrison, it is easy to see her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. It was one of her missions in life to make sure that those around her always knew just how much they were loved. A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Pat took every chance to hold her loved ones close. Her insatiable zest for life was contagious, and she both endured hardship with grace and embraced triumph with joy. Although she is already so greatly missed, Pat leaves behind a priceless legacy of generosity and service that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Patsy Marie Garrison, age 82 died on December 16, 2025, in Kalamazoo. She was born on November 10, 1943, in Lawton to Henry and Mabel Forbes. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Harold Forbes, and brother in-law, Walter Garrison. Surviving is her husband, David Garrison; children: Judy (Cary) Spradlin, Mike (Ronda) Garrison, and Amie (Rodney) Moore; grandchildren: Kodi, Jason, Jason, Shay, Chelsea, Jacob, Jordan, Sarah; her siblings: Gladys, Rex, and Veda; her great-grandchildren: Isabelle, Iziah, Lilly, Vannessa, Jesse, Willow, Wyatt, Nathan, Jaime, Lilah, Logan, Waylon, Riley, Cameron; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to those who helped manage her care through out - Advanced Vascular Surgery and Fresenius Kidney Care.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Tuesday, December 23, from 11 AM to 12 PM at Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, 60900 M-40 Highway, Paw Paw (269) 657-3870 where food, drinks, and stories can be shared. A Life Story Service will be held at 12 PM. Burial at Oak Grove Cemetery to follow. Celebrate Pat’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund.