Patricia Ann Wyatt

WYATT, Patti (Boddy) age 72, Nov. 27, 2014 Beloved wife of Barry for 44 years. Dearest mother of Kim (Jeff) McKay, Jodi (Phil) Sotok and Lori (Jeff) Mulholland. Proud grandmother of Nate, Noah, Claire, Andrew, Saunder, Maelyn, Mallory and Wyatt. Special friend of Dick & Dee Young. Visitation Sun. 3-8pm Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc. (Shelby Township) 54880 VanDyke @ 25 Mile Rd. Prayers 6:00pm. Instate Mon. 10:30am at SS. John & Paul Church 7777 W. 28 Mile Rd. until Mass, 11:00am. Interment White Chapel. Donations to the Biliary Cancer Research c/o Dr. Pedram Argam, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Weinberg/Room 2242, 401 Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231-2410. AN ORDINARY LIFE…LIVED WITH EXTRAORDINARY FAITH, HOPE & LOVE Patti Wyatt. There are many examples we can give about how you were an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother and friend…about this, there is no doubt. But these words, about to be spoken, are of a slightly different legacy, and we speak them from the heart. I would like to start by reading a quote from the memoir of Walter Ciszeck, a Jesuit Priest who suffered over 20 years in Soviet labor camps post WWII. It reads: "For it is not man or what he does that counts the most in the plans of divine providence, but rather that a man accepts in confidence and fulfills to the best of his ability each day what God has chosen for him." I read this quote for the first time a few months ago. However, it was not until I happened upon it again, a few weeks ago, that its meaning came to light in all its fullness. And that fullness became very clear as it was read a second time and thoughts of Patti began to enter my mind. It reads: "Accept in confidence and fulfill to the best of your ability each day what God has chosen for you". Dwelling on the countless times Jodi and I [and most certainly many of US here today] said to one another "I don't know how she does it…if it were me I think I would have given up by now…I would be angry…I would be negative…I would be emotionally broken...". We questioned ourselves...how would we handle this situation, if it were us? These thoughts and conversations were triggered by different scenes over that past SIX years as Patti courageously worked her way through the ups and downs of cancer. We realized…we were in awe of her attitude. In an effort to offer some level of sensibility to it, all we could say was "she's amazing, she just keeps fighting, what a spirit!". And this continued until the very end, when loved ones told Patti - "its OK to let go"…her response was beyond our comprehension and yet comforting in its absolute awareness…she told us: "Not...yet". "Accept in confidence and fulfill to the best of your ability each day what God has chosen for you". The quote speaks to us about legacy. In fact, really, it teaches us how to put our legacy into proper perspective..."For its not what we do that counts most". Today's culture teaches us that legacy is perhaps something visible: wealth passed on, a family business transferred to the next generation, a name on a building, etc. But its hard NOW, not to think of legacy in terms of what Patti left us - a unique gift, as unique as our memories of her. For Patti taught each of us - who naturally fear death - how it can be approached with peace and grace. And as Patti moved closer each day to her final rest, she taught us how to live…indeed, how to be. She is our example of how to live each day to the utmost even in the toughest situations. Patti Wyatt, your body may have failed you…but your spirit…is unbreakable. How clear that is, to us now. Think back on the moments YOU shared with her…some together in the chaos of life and kids and plans. Others, quietly in moments of friendship and love. In moments of just two. Many of us had this opportunity...to share and experience Patti's will to live and her unbelievable ability to somehow still find joy in the midst of her trail. Maybe things simplify under these conditions. And that which holds true importance to us, shines the brightest. THIS we could see...in Patti's smile, in her eyes as she gazed upon us and the scenes unfolding in front of her and certainly in her contentment at those noisy little voices around her - that so many of us tried to shush! And in that chaos, it was sometimes hard for US to recognize Patti's joy. But not always! Because as we grieved, Patti, you sang, literally, she sang! Patti, you wanted to keep OUR mood happy and wanted everyone to be comfortable - despite your constant discomfort and the enormity and gravity of your situation - where logic might tell you to put all effort into your own well being…SOMEHOW...you focused on us, you put us before yourself, and you did it over and over. These were selfless acts - charity at its most human level - the proper order of giving and receiving. Perhaps you had episodes of pity - how could you not? But few, if any, ever saw it. NO! No, what we saw was a reflection of how God wants us to live. A reflection of how God asks us to persevere. And, perhaps, a reflection of how God intends for us to be as we return to him. Patti, YOU showed this to us! And so we recognize now, that THIS, this is Patti's legacy! And it was given exclusively to us, by her - we didn't read about it, we encountered it! It's crystal clear - her spirit - living on. And yet, no one here wants to pretend that this abstract thought is somehow consoling. Its not, we absolutely prefer Patti. However, we can not deny she left a piece of her, in us, and continued... 1 2 Next ...continued we cherish it, as Patti cherished life. There were few gifts Patti gave that were not practical or useful. Patti didn't give Christmas tree ornaments. No, she gave potato peelers. Well, Patti has left us all...one, last and most useful gift. She showed us the enduring spirit. It was her final act of giving. There's a quote from Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 that might sum this up best…"We leave something behind when we die, it doesn't matter what we do, so long as we change for the better something from the way it was before we touched it, into something that's like us after our hands are taken away." Patti Wyatt, knowing you changed us for the better. You were an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother and friend to the very end. But what you left us…is slightly different and it is enduring! Patti, you fought the good fight, you won this race. We love you. We will miss you. And we are grateful...that we had you in our lives. Previous 1 2

Patricia Ann Wyatt

November 2, 1942 - November 27, 2014