Patricia Pettinga

Pettinga, Patricia L. Patricia Lynn Pettinga, 68, passed away Monday, October 26, 2020 at her home in Kalamazoo, with family by her side. Patricia was very well known in the Kalamazoo community for several decades for her communications and fund-raising support for local non-profits, and as an accomplished singer-songwriter throughout Michigan. She was born November 28, 1951 in Grand Rapids, MI, to the late Ernest and Anita (Karsten) Pettinga. She was united in marriage to William "Bill" Willging on October 13, 2001. After graduating from Central Christian High School in Grand Rapids, she went on to obtain her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University. Patricia taught high school in Constantine for a few years. She then returned to Western to earn a Masters degree in Organizational Communications. She held various positions in local non-profit organizations, including Executive Director of the Vine Neighborhood Association, Communications Director for the YWCA, Development Director for MRC Industries, Development Director for Planned Parenthood, and eventually retired as the Communications Coordinator for the College of Health and Human Services at WMU, working directly for the Dean. Patricia also had a career spanning nearly five decades as a professional singer/songwriter performing in a variety of venues throughout Michigan and the greater Midwest. She performed primarily original songs as a solo act, and as a duo with her husband, Bill Willging. She produced and recorded three CDs. Patricia is survived by her husband, Bill; her siblings, Sandra (Mitchell) Reynolds, Ruth Graham, Carol (Dick) Flietstra, Tom (Dar) Pettinga and Janice Brock; Bill's siblings, David (Janet) Willging, Janet Willging (John Strassburger), Audrey (Keith) Ketchum, and several nieces and nephews. At the family's request, cremation has taken place. No public visitation or services are scheduled. Instead, a private immediate family service will take place. Once the Covid pandemic has eased enough to hold large public gatherings, a large public "mini-festival" will be held for interested local musicians to play, spontaneous "jam" sessions will occur, and all who knew and loved her can come celebrate her rich and full life. The family is being served by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street, Kalamazoo. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Patricia's name may be directed to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes (www.kzoolf.org) or to The Nature Conservancy in Michigan (www.nature.org). Please visit Patricia's personalized web page at https://www.langelands.com