Patricia H. Terenzi

Patricia Harrietta Terenzi, née Benvenuti, known to everyone as “Pat,” passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, at the age of 88, surrounded by her family and with a prayer on her lips. She was a devoted Catholic, a fiercely loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a cancer survivor. Pat was born in Detroit, Michigan, on September 6, 1937, to Harry and Julia Benvenuti. The oldest of four children, she grew up in Detroit and graduated from East Detroit High School, where she was voted Class Clown — a title she proudly reminded everyone of for the rest of her life. At 18, Pat met Alberto Terenzi. The two married on December 1, 1956, and soon welcomed their first two daughters. Within a few years, the growing family moved to Warren and settled into their home on Bloomfield, where they would welcome four more children: three daughters and a son. It was a crowded house and a happy one. Pat and Alberto instilled strong family values and made sure their children knew how to find joy in life. There were long drives with everyone packed into the car and elaborate impromptu dinners that turned into card games that went well into the night, with cousins playing together for hours. Those moments became some of the family's most treasured memories. Pat was a proud member of the San Marino Club’s Ladies Auxiliary and served as president. When her husband became ill and was diagnosed with lupus, Pat went to work at Grinnell Screw Products, where she worked for more than 25 years. In her later years, one of Pat's greatest joys was becoming “Gigi” to her great-grandchildren. She had a close group of friends who would play cards together at the senior center and attend Mass on Saturdays. And she loved being surrounded by her family at holidays and parties where she always led everyone in the saying of Grace before meals. Patricia Terenzi is survived by her six children, Kimberly (Steven) Manzaroli; Deborah (Naser) Abdel-Razzaq; Laura (Jerry VanTiem) Basilisco; Dante (DeAnne Spurlock) Terenzi; Cynthia (Fabrizio) Francini; and Christine Sholtz; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Alberto Terenzi. Visitation will take place on Friday, August 28 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. (Shelby Township). Rosary at 7 p.m. Instate 9:30 a.m. followed by a 10 a.m. Mass on Saturday, August 29 at St. Kieran Church, 53600 Mound Rd., Shelby Township MI 48316. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association, heart.org, or the Lupus Foundation, milupus.org. Share memories with the family at their “On Line Guest Book” at WujekCalcaterra.com.

Patricia H. Terenzi

September 6, 1937 - August 22, 2026