Patricia E. Key

May 4, 1935 — July 22, 2021

Patricia E. Key of Grand Rapids, formerly of Midland and Coleman, passed away at her home on Thursday, July 22, surrounded by the love of her family.& Pat was born in Saginaw on May 4, 1935 to John and Edna (Waite) Gibbons. She graduated from Midland High School in 1953 and began working at the Midland Daily News, where she met Larry Key. They were married in 1957 and had three children.

Pat worked for many years as a paraprofessional in the Coleman Community Schools and was very involved in the community where she raised her children. One of her proudest accomplishments was serving as mayor of Coleman, where she also served for many years on the City Council. She was a member of the library board for establishing a library in the old bank building, as well as for the building it currently occupies. At various times she was involved with the Jaycee Auxiliary and the Lionesses, where she served as the first editor-in-chief of the state-wide newsletter. She acted as community representative for the Office of Economic Opportunity and was a member of the Coleman Area Ambulance Board. She was a woman of faith and was a Lay Minister at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. She was on the parish councils for St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church and Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church when the merger took place.

More than anything else, Pat was the matriarch of her clan. She not only mothered the "Key kids," but many of their friends as well. She was a fun-loving grandmother who adored her grandchildren. She was a strong person and loved spending time with her family and friends. She was an avid reader of history, loved traveling, and was curious about the world.

Pat is survived by her children Kathleen Wipperfeld and John Key, grandchildren Ryan Key, Caitlin Key, Kirsten (Benjamin) von Forell, and Kara (Ruairidh Morrison) Wipperfeld, and two sisters E. Carol (Jimmy) Mayo and Diane Vanderpool. She was predeceased by her parents and son, Timothy Key.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 27 from 4 – 6 pm at Wilson MILLER funeral home in Midland and again on at the church on Wednesday from 1:00 pm until the time of service. A celebration of life will be held at Our Lady of Grace in Sanford on Wednesday, July 28 at 2:00 pm with burial in Old Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Coleman Historical Society Museum Building Fund PO Box 272 Coleman, Michigan 48618 in Pat's memory. Personal messages of condolence may be offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com.

Donations may be made to:

Coleman Historical Society
PO Box 272, Coelman MI 48618

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