The life of the party has a new forwarding address, and it’s no longer in Florida or Michigan.
Patricia Ann ‘Patti’ Mendler, 78, of Clinton Township, Michigan, formerly of Sarasota, Florida, passed away in the presence of her children on March 2, 2021.
Patti was known as a loyal and loving sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She adored her children. Although she may not have always agreed with their decisions (and wasn’t afraid to tell you like it is) fully supported them in their endeavors. Her favorite saying was always, “Love you more,” although in recent years that changed to “Love you more … The End.” However, her children always knew and laughed at the fact she loved her grandchildren “more.”
Patti was also a true friend, always with a cup of stiff coffee and ready to listen. She was to the end of her life, a compassionate and gracious nurse.
Her loves included: Golf, crotchet, painting, and Hallmark movies. She was very artistic, which extended to the decoration of her home for every holiday, and even some non-holidays.
Paramount in her life was her family. Whether it was Christmas at the Historical Captain’s House in St. Clair, “Rib Day,” or the “Flannel” parties, she created special memories that can be built on by future generations.
Patti was born Jan. 15, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan to Thomas Patrick and Mary (Milne) Catherine Holland. She graduated from Regina High School in Detroit and the Mercy School of Nursing in Detroit.
In 1960, she married Gordon Lluewellyn Constance, with whom she had five children. She later married David Paul Mendler in 1981, blending two spirited families with seven children.
Patti is survived by:
Her brother: Mike (Anita) Holland of East Tawas, Michigan; Children: Mark (Tracy) Constance of Roscommon, Michigan; Michelle Sockow of Red Bud, Illinois; Terry (Christine) Constance of Wolverine Lake, Michigan; Kathleen (Brent) Sockow of Sarasota, Florida; Denise Carter of Warren, Michigan; Debbie (Kenny) Haigh of Harper Woods, Michigan; and son-in-law Terry (Kelley) Metcalf of Waterloo, Illinois.
Grandchildren: Thomas Sockow, Cami Sockow, Autumn (Rixy) Rodriguez-Constance, Jeffree Shooter, Chelsea Constance, Courtney (Shivam) Tapiawala, Tesia Sockow, Harmony Sockow, Zachary Sockow, Jenna (Jon) Dade, Mikayla Sockow, Jared Constance, Ian Metcalf, Brandon (Tonya) Carter, Jason Haigh, Nick Carter and Justin Haigh; Elizabeth Ellerbrock, and Lee (Christine) Ellerbrock.
Great-Grandchildren: Eva Constance, Dominic Carter, Anthony Carter, Kennady Lawrence, Peyton and Owen Crowder, Aryen Tapiawala, Zechariah Williams, Roman Carter, Jaxon Carter, and Owen, Tyler and Henry Ellerbrock.
Also left behind were BFF’s Judy Stefforia and Diane Scritchfield-Gualdoni. Patti counted them as her angels since childhood, and valued their friendship more than they can ever know.
Patti was preceded in death by Gordon L. Constance (husband), David P. Mendler (husband), Kelley Marie Metcalf (daughter) and Grandson Sean Patrick Constance.
A brief graveside ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, March 13 at noon at Hillside Cemetery, located at 1450 Goffe Street in St. Clair, Michigan.
A luncheon will immediately follow at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Clair, located at 415 North 9th Street.
Because of these difficult times, the luncheon will be COVID–COMPLIANT, using restaurant masking protocol. Be prepared to Mask Up to enter the building and get to your table, at which point you can remove your mask. You must wear it when you leave your table. Masks will be available at the door.
Please, join us for memories, laughter, tears, and a friendly hand of Euchre.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family. Make checks payable to Michelle Sockow in care of Patricia Mendler, 312 Bloom Street, Red Bud, Illinois, 62278; or to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Youth Group, 415 N 9th Street, St. Clair, MI, 48079.
