Patricia "Patti" L. Hardin

When reflecting on the life of Patricia Hardin, it is easy to see that she was selfless in every way. Gracious, kindhearted, and compassionate, she was truly a blessing to everyone she met. Patti made it seem effortless to care for a family and run a household, and would go to great lengths to provide for her family's needs. She was guided by unwavering faith, and it was this very faith that put the song in her heart. It also gave her strength to weather the storms of life that came her way. Never one to worry about the little things, Patti’s strength and courage were an inspiration to all. Although she will be deeply missed, she leaves behind a timeless legacy that will be proudly carried on by those who follow in her footsteps.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of the nation were focused overseas as WWII raged on. There was dancing in the streets when America and our allies were victorious in 1945, and America was more than ready to move forward. It was while adjusting as a nation at peace once again when James Terrence and Cecilia Magedeline (Busch) Riordan were excited to learn they were expecting a new baby. Their wait was over on November 27, 1947 when the baby girl, Patricia Lee made her arrival in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 10th of 11 children, she was raised on the family farm on Lake Michigan Drive which was complete with chickens, cows, and pigs. They even had a pet pig named “Billy Grunt Grunt.” She had daily chores including milking the cows alongside her father as he quizzed her on spelling. Her father also worked as a buffer at American Motors while her mother was a busy homemaker. The Riordan family, which included Patti’s siblings, Jim, Joe, Kitty, Terry, Barb, Char, Jack, Ann, Chuck, and Rick, belonged to St. James Catholic Church and attended Sunday Mass together.

From a young age, Patti was a bustle of activity. For many years, she and her best friend, Patty Darrin did everything together. As a teen, Patti worked at Kureks Fruit Stand selling fruits and vegetables, and often got into tomato fights while picking tomatoes! She attended Delany Elementary School and Union High School where she was part of the Glee Club and president of the sewing club, even though she never learned to sew. Patti went on to graduate from Union in 1965.

Eager to see all that life had in store, Patti got her first job as a secretary at Hopson Bennett. On the weekends, she always went roller skating at Terry Hall Roller Rink, and there she met the young man of her dreams, Greg Hardin. They met in a rather unusual way as he slammed her into the boards, but sparks flew and they were soon dating. Deeply in love, they were married six years later on September 21, 1968 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with reception at a Westside hall. The newlyweds then took a honeymoon to Colorado.

When they returned, Patti and Greg found their apartment on Linden Avenue filled with crushed newspapers, sheets in the freezer, and many other things for the “chivary” courtesy of their families! After two years there, Patti and Greg moved into a home they built on 8th Avenue NW, where they lived for the rest of her life. Together they were blessed with the births of six children including Craig in 1970, Kurt in 1972, Ryan in 1976, Ann in 1978, Sara in 1979, and Scott in 1988. The Hardins attended St. James Church for Mass each Sunday.

All who knew Patti would agree that she made it seem effortless to run a home and care for her family. She was a meticulous housekeeper who was constantly cleaning, wiping, and straightening. Patti loved everything about tending to her home and caring for her husband and children without ever finding it laborious. She made three not necessarily amazing meals for the kids a day, and she often had different things for whomever didn’t like what was prepared. Patti was there for whatever her children were a part of whether it was in school or various sports activities. When they put a pool in the yard, it provided hours of summertime fun. Later, grandkids enjoyed the pool, too. The Hardins also enjoyed family vacations, often renting a cottage on Silver Lake or going snowmobiling. They also visited her brother Joe’s home at Trout Lake. When all their children were finally in bed around 11 PM, Patti and Greg enjoyed their time alone.

In her free time, Patti liked to keep busy. She enjoyed her favorite television shows including Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, Wings, Downton Abbey, Two and a Half Men, Johnny Carson as well as music from The Beatles, Bob Seger, and Elton John. Patti was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings, never missing an opportunity to watch them on television. She loved to go “bumming and shopping” as she called it, with her sister, Ann, along with her daughters, Ann and Sara. Patti also took ceramic classes for a couple of years.

Patti was over the moon excited to become a grandmother. She loved camping with the grandkids at Ludington State Park, Pentwater, and Grand Haven because they didn’t have “dirty dirt’ as she called it since even while camping Patti was forever cleaning and picking up. Her grandchildren ranged in age from 21 years down to six months, and she treasured every moment she spent with them. Patti made Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter something to remember every year, and of course there were the most amazing spreads of food. Everyone especially loved her stuffing and potato salad.

Life was forever changed for Patti and her loved ones when she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma about seven years ago. Over the years she fought hard, undergoing numerous chemotherapy treatments and even going into remission three times. Patti never gave up, and her faith and the love of her family kept her strong. Just last Friday she started a new chemotherapy treatment, which went well initially, but it was later discovered that she faced an uphill battle and little could be done.

With unending love for her family, Patricia Hardin lived a life of purpose, savoring every day she was given. She was loving, caring, and selfless, yet she was also determined, strong, and willing to fight until the very end. Faith-filled, Patricia prayed the rosary often, and she never questioned her faith. She will never be forgotten.

Patricia Lee Hardin (Riordan) aged 67 of Tallmadge Township, MI, passed away at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital on Wednesday morning, November 11, 2015, with her loving family at her side. Patricia was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, neighbor and a dear friend to all who knew her. Being a wife, mother and grandmother was her greatest joy. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of 48 years, Greg Hardin; her loving children, Craig and Lori Hardin, Kurt and Heidi Hardin, Ryan and Sara Hardin, Ann and Robb Wiersma, Sara Hardin and Fiancé, Cory Sisk, Scott and Kelsey Hardin; her loving grandchildren, Zachary and Jachob Hardin, Ann, Kyle, Brenden, Dylan and Courtney Hardin, Isabel and Emma Hardin, Benjamin, William and Peter Wiersma; her brothers and sisters, Kathleen Carlson, Terry (Eldine) Riordan, Jack (Janet) Riordan, Barb (Bill) Fischer, Rick (Paula) Riordan; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ray Obetts and Rose Riordan; numerous nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many friends. Patti was preceded in death by her siblings, Jim Riordan, Joe (Sharon) Riordan, Chuck Riordan, Char Obetts, Ann “Auntie” Riordan and her brother-in-law, Wayne Carlson; The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 733 Bridge St. NW. Relatives and friends may meet her family on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm with a scripture service at 7:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Contributions in her memory may be made to Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. To read more about Patti’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, please visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com