Patricia Rytlewski

My name is Patricia Ann Rytlewski (Green) and even though my life has reached its physical end (July 27, 2014), I find myself blessed and grateful for: my life, the love of my life, my family and the numerous friends God has brought my way. It was my desire to be at home surrounded by my family when the end came. God answered my prayer, and when I reached out for the hand of Jesus, only then was I able to let go of the hands that so faithfully loved me through out my life. I was born on March 17th, 1935. My parents: Louis and Jeanette (Finkbiner) Green raised me as the eldest of seven. Only Julie Dezelsky of Tennessee survives me. Living to experience the loss of my sisters and brother: Marvel Satkowiak, Jackie Lynch, Marjorie Goodwin, Linda Green, and brother Louie renewed my understanding of how precious life really is. I have been a life long resident of Bay City, and graduated from Bay City Central in 1952. Soon after, my life really began one evening when a young man named Ernie Rytlewski offered a ride home to a couple friends and myself. I still remember our first kiss. It was magical; the only man I would ever love had kissed me. In that moment, my life changed. I offered the love of my life; my heart and we were married on July 3, 1954. I never looked back. 60 years later, my life and Ernie's have become so entwined; I am not sure any longer exactly where mine ends and his begins. Perhaps it can be found in our family that formed in a short period of time, four children in five years. Our children: daughters: Terri (Tom) Shaver and Sharon Rytlewski, sons: Ernie Jr. Rytlewski and Kris (Kathy) Rytlewski meant more to me than life itself. Ernie and I tried our best to provide a loving home for our family. Amazingly, in spite of all of our mistakes and shortcomings, our kids have loved us back. I am a blessed Busia. Yes, I said Busia. It is Polish for grandmother. The fruit of our lives have produced fruit of their own. I cannot begin to tell you how much my babies meant to me. They are Jesse & Emily Shaver, Hannah (Nate) Schmucker; Jenifer Hubble & Stephanie Smith; Kameron, Kendall and Kaden Rytlewski. Busia's blessings continued with four great grandchildren: Nadaleigh, Mackenzie and Kayleigh Hubble; and Lydia Schumucker. I did not want to die, but I was never afraid to live. And live I did! A life has many chapters, but the constant theme throughout was my partner, my friend, my lover and faithful companion, Ernie. The life and times of Pat & Ernie may never be made into Hollywood movie, but our life together was filled with perfect imperfections. Our children having taken wing, Ernie and I traveled much of the world but ultimately settled in Maui, HI. We found our paradise on earth and spent 30 years calling Maui our winter home. Enjoying the sun, walks on the beach, friends around campfires and weeks on end of simply being together was my fantasy come true. All of our children were able to visit us in Maui on multiple occasions. Our rule with family was, if you can get here, the rest of the expense is on us. Many winters were spent with family members near by. It was my nature to love deeply, and in return was loved deeply. It was my delight and habit to purchase hundreds of cards, in order to reach out to family and friends on their birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Some may have thought it strange, but I loved to send cards to neighbors, hairdressers, and store clerks just because it felt good doing it. Was my life a like a fairy tale? Not exactly. Was my life perfect, without pain and sorrow? Not exactly. I believe it was all of those perfect imperfections that made me the woman I am. I am grateful… You see, I tried to love with all that I was capable of, and in return, I feel as loved as any woman to have ever lived. Private arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Skorupski Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 955 N. Pine Rd., Hampton Twp. The entire family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff of McLaren Hospice and All Saints Home Health Care for the compassionate care provided. Memorial contributions may be directed to theoldhamproject.org, a non-profit dedicated to providing portraits at no charge to those with a terminal illness. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.skorupskis.com