Patricia Denemy

Patricia Anne (Mort) Denemy passed peacefully in her sleep at Independence Village in Petoskey, Michigan, on Thursday, March 26, 2026. She was 91 years old.

Pat was born on August 20, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan, the only daughter of six children to Arthur Carroll and Gladys (Younker) Mort. She is proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years William I. Denemy and daughter Mary Theresa. She is survived by her daughter Judy Smith (husband Greg Smith, deceased); son William A. Denemy (wife Natalie Denemy, deceased); daughter Joanie Denemy; son Brian Denemy; and daughter Terri Denemy (husband Jerry Postema). She is blessed with six grandchildren Michael Denemy, Justin Denemy, Joey Denemy, Margaret Feil, James Postema, and Joy Postema; five great-grandchildren William and Chloe Feil; Jacob, Joshua, and Rachel Elkins. She has five beloved Mort brothers and their wives - Don & Jane (both deceased), Jim & Alice, Keith (deceased) & Beverly, Jack & Jean (deceased), Charles “Spike” & Linda (deceased), and adored nieces and nephews, Ruth (deceased), Steve, David, Vicki, Brett, Leslie (deceased), Keith, Tom, Dan, Greg, Kevin, Michelle, and Todd.

She spent her early years tending to her children while her husband pursued a very successful career with the Michigan State Police. After her youngest children began school, she started working part-time and eventually full-time for the Soil Conservation Service first in West Branch and later in Stanton. In that role, she was known as the “Tree Lady’ running the very successful annual tree seedling program. After retirement she and her husband spent winters in Florida near her parents and brothers and the warmer months in Stanton. Eventually they returned to Michigan full-time settling in Petoskey, where she rekindled old school time friendships from her years at Charlevoix where she was a rambunctious high school cheerleader. Pat loved to be social, and her friends and family meant the world to her. Hugs were given freely and she rarely missed a social or church activity, especially in her time at Independence Village where she was cherished by residents and staff. She was known for her sunny disposition, lighting up a room with her vivacious spirit, and signing joyfully. She could strike up conversation with anyone – and usually did – often turning a stranger into a lifelong friend. She adored her many grand dogs, was an ardent Michigan fan, frequently heard yelling, “Go Blue!” Her Catholic faith was important to her, and she was certainly warmly greeted home by her Heavenly Father.

A visitation for Patricia will be at Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Pat Naganashe of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians will honor her by singing Ave Maria around 3:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held later this year in the warmer months. Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Inc. of Petoskey, Michigan.

Those wishing to make a donation in Patti’s memory are asked to consider hospice or a charity of their choice.

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