Patsy Bailey

Patsy Anne Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on May 20, 2021. Pat was born on June 29, 1934 to Archie and Margaret Sibson in Kalamazoo, MI. She was the oldest of 3 children. She was preceded in death by her sister Jean (Weinberg) and is survived by her brother John Sibson. Pat always knew what she was meant to do. She said "I always wanted to be a teacher: I organized the neighborhood kids to teach and often entertained our mothers with plays, singing and flannel board stories." Pat graduated with a two-year teaching certificate in 1954 from the WMU Rural Education Department. A big believer in the value of education, she went on to get her bachelor's degree and a master's degree in reading. She was also certified to teach Work Shop Way. Pat started her teaching career at Chime Elementary. She also taught at Burke, Knollwood and for many years at Winchell Elementary, teaching mostly 3rd grade. She retired in 1992 but continued to volunteer at Prairie Ridge (formerly Chime) Elementary where she started her career. She also taught Sunday School and worked with vacation bible school at WUMC. She once said "teaching has been an integral and rewarding part of my life. I wouldn't change a thing if I had to do it over." While getting her degree Pat took an Art Class, Art for the Classroom Teacher, from Keith Bailey at WMU. She loved to tell people she graduated with an A and a diamond. They were married in 1956 and were happy together for 62 wonderful years until Keith's death in June of 2018. Pat and Keith have 3 daughters, Dana (Tom) Smith of Lawton, Beth (Mark) Koenig of Portage and Sara (Mike) Simonds of Allegan. They have 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. The only thing that Pat loved as much as teaching was family. She was the glue that kept many generations connected. She and Keith vowed to tell their children from the day they were born how much they loved and wanted them. And they kept that vow. Their legacy of love lives on in the many lives they touched. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 Thursday, May 27th at Westwood United Methodist Church, 538 Nichols Road. The service will be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend in person at http://www.westwood-umc.org or http://Facebook.com/Westwood-United-Methodist-Church-101370783240125. Friends may gather with the family following the service at the church. Private burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Westwood United Methodist Church or to Loaves & Fishes Kalamazoo. Please visit Pat's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com