Patti Formell

“It’s not what you have, but who you have.” - Patricia “Patti” Formell lived such a life, one not filled with material things, but with things that matter most – her family and friends. In every word and deed, she shared her love with her family and friends, the people who brought extraordinary joy into her life. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Patti’s smile and wonderful sense of humor filled each day with sunshine.

1946 was a time of recuperation and reflection in the world. Harry S. Truman was the President of the United States and on December 31st he had officially proclaimed the end of World War II. On the lighter side, it was the year that Frank Capra’s movie It’s a Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart premiered. For Reggie and Ruth (Duenn) Rowbotham of Coldwater, Michigan, 1946 was also a wonderful year as they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Patricia Ruth, on September 28th. Patti, as she was called, was the youngest of the Rowbotham family and had an older brother, Bob. The two were only separated in age by ten months, so they were undoubtedly very close their entire lives.

Patti spent her early childhood growing up in Coldwater, where she attended school until the fourth grade. The family then moved to Marshall, Michigan, and she completed her education here, graduating from Marshall High School in 1964. Patti was a very beautiful young lady and had a wonderful personality to match. With lots of pep and charm, she was a natural cheerleader and Homecoming Queen in high school.

At the age of eighteen, Patti married a man named Bob Van Zandt on January 23, 1965, and they had two daughters together: Trish and Andrea. Unfortunately, Patti and Bob’s marriage ended in divorce after 13 years. Being a single mom, Patti went to work at Hydromatic (American Axel) in order to support her girls. Although she had to work, it was apparent that Patti’s most important job in life was taking care of her daughters. She was always an excellent example and taught them good habits and strong values that would guide them through their lives – like working hard, being responsible and that life isn’t always fair, but you get through it by doing the best you can. And most importantly, material things are not significant in life, but people are.

In January of 1981, a wonderful thing happened to Patti – she met the man who would not only become the love of her life, but also her best friend. Conrad “Dave” Formell was that man, and he was just as taken with Patti with her natural beauty and her warm, inviting personality that Dave said just made her glow. The two were happily married a year later on April 10, 1982, at her brother’s house. Patti and Dave was a perfect pair, and enjoyed many of the same interests, including traveling around the U.S. Above everything, though, family always came first and many of their happiest moments always involved the time spent with their children and grandchildren. Patti took an active role in every phase of her daughters’ lives, and becoming a grandmother only doubled her joy. It was only natural then that Christmas be a very special time for Patti. Each year, the family tradition was to have a big breakfast together, and after clean up was done, it was time to open presents.

Patti was always a very classy lady, not only did she have grace and loveliness, she also had a beautiful way of looking at the world. She took great pride in her appearance, dressing properly and having her nails and hair done just right. But then, being a beautician, Patti felt it was important to look the part too. At one time, Patti owned her own beauty salon. Being a people person, this was the perfect occupation for her since she could work and converse with people from all walks of life. Patti made everyone feel special and left her mark on all those she came in contact with. A real social bug, she had a large circle of friends who cherished her friendship. Like the saying “laughter is the best medicine”, Patti enjoyed a good laugh and was known to say “that’s a hoot.”

When it came to her leisure time, Patti enjoyed being busy outside in the sun, tending to her garden or doing some landscaping around her house. Inside, she liked to do interior decorating and was an excellent seamstress. And whenever she was cooking in the kitchen, the house smelled delicious, especially when she made her fried chicken or pot roast with gravy (made only in her special pot roast pan). Patti learned to cook from her mother, and she enjoyed teaching her girls as well. A pet lover, she always had some kind of four legged companion running around the house – the most recent being Herbie. When not taking care of her family, Patti volunteered for several different organizations over the years, selflessly giving of her time and talents.

Patty truly knew how to enjoy, cherish and celebrate every moment life had to offer. She filled a room with her warm presence and left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Patti was one of those very special people you hope you will have the good fortune to meet one day. To her family and friends, Patti was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and loyal friend, who will be missed beyond words.

Patricia Ruth Formell, age 60, of Vicksburg, MI, died on Saturday, July 14, 2007, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Learn more about Patti, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Tuesday, July 17, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG ,Vicksburg, 409 S. Main. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 18. Members of Patti’s family include her husband, Dave; 2 daughters: Trish and her husband, Bill Brisbane, and Andrea and Corey Gray; a brother, Bob and his wife, Nancy, Rowbotham; 3 stepchildren: Donna and her husband, Peter Pruett, Mark and his wife, Denise Arthurs, and Dan and his wife, Sophia Formell; 8 grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Megan, Emily and Jeffery Simmonds, Tanner and Sara Gray and Lindsay and Anne Arthurs; nephews, Ryan and Tyler Rowbotham; and several friends. She follows in death her parents.

Please visit Patti’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a favorite memory or photo of her or sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leader School for the Blind, Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or the West Michigan Cancer Society.