Patricia Mary Dull

Filled with selfless compassion towards everyone she met, Patricia Dull made a significant impact in the lives of everyone she met. She was truly beautiful on the inside and out, and she could always see the good in everyone and everything. A devoted wife and mother, Pat was filled with unspeakable joy to witness her family tree blossom to include the grandchildren who were the light of her life. She was accompanied by an unwavering faith, and it was her faith that put the joy in her heart and provided the shelter she needed when the storms of life came her way. Never one to worry about what she had, Pat set her sights on doing whatever she could to make life just a little bit brighter for all who were within her reach. She leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of all who were blessed to feel her touch. The 1930s were some of the most trying days we have faced as a nation as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. With a soaring unemployment rate, families were left doing whatever they could to make ends meet. It was in the midst of these trying days that Norris and Katherine VanDuren were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as the promise of spring began to appear on the horizon in Holland, Michigan, in 1936. The big day finally arrived on March 3rd when the baby girl they named Patricia drew her first breath. She was the older of two children in her family and was raised alongside her younger brother, James. Pats father was a vocational counselor and camp director while her mother was a homemaker who also worked at the Michigan Red Cross. In many ways, Pat experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of her generation. Her Dutch ancestry was important to their family, and she loved spending time at her great-grandmothers house. Pat also spent a lot of time at the Boy Scout camp where her father was the director. The family moved all over the state. Pat, along with her mother and brother, was given a tough pill to swallow with the death of her father when she was only 16. This left their family of three migrating back to Holland. Life was forever changed for Pat when she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Floyd Bud Downing Dull, and they were introduced by his brother, Larry. Sparks flew right from the start, and they soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Pat and Bud were married on July 26, 1958, at the Dutch Reformed Church. Together they welcomed two children, Dennis and Kayleen, into their hearts and home. There was nothing that was more important to Pat than her roles as a wife and mother, and her children brought her great joy. She was an active part of her childrens lives, and she forever viewed the day that each of her children were born to be the best days of her life. Although her family was always first and foremost in her life, Pat also found great fulfillment in other areas. She had a very strong faith in God, and she loved serving within the United Methodist Church as she loved serving at funeral dinners and also regularly helped out with the stroke club. Pat was also involved with the Brownies and Girl Scouts, and both she and her husband were spotters and chasers for hot air balloons. Pat had a special place in her heart for all children, and she loved sending children to church camp and being the grandma to all the kids in the campground. For many years she loved working as a clerk for Comerica Bank. As her family and friends can attest, Pat was one who liked to be busy, and she did many things to stay active. During her early years as a wife she loved to do the limbo. Over the years she and Bud were regular campers, and her favorite times were when the rain forced them to stay inside playing board games. Pats favorite vacation was a two month trip to Florida and then to Maine, across Michigan, to California, and to the state of Washington. The Dull family reunion was a memorable event as keeping the excitement in the Dull family was certainly a challenge. Pat loved bowling, creating needlework projects, tying flies and making fishing lures, and collecting and admiring lighthouses. Pat also enjoyed her music albums, photo albums, and wooden shoes. Pat was someone who was truly beautiful on the inside and out. It has been said that she always looked at the world through rose colored glasses as she was able to focus only on the positive things. Pat was very independent and never wanted to burden others, even when she was afflicted with Parkinsonism that left her in a great deal of pain. Her grace and composure were truly inspiring. Fun loving, vibrant, and honest, Patricia Dull was such a blessing in the lives of countless others. She effortlessly put the needs of her family ahead of her own, and she was always looking for ways she could help in ways both great and small. Pat looked beautiful in her favorite color, blue, and she had a certain sparkle about her that was impossible to miss. Dearly loved, she will be forever missed. Patricia Dull, of Jackson, died on Friday, January 9, 2015. Patricia is survived by her husband, Floyd Dull; two children, Dennis (Diane Merrow) Dull of Reed City and Kayleen (Mike) Lyons of Greenville; grandchildren, Aubrey Dull of Grand Rapids, Nathan Dull of Reed City, and Derek Lyons of Greenville; two sisters-in-law, Nelda (Mark) Briggs of Holland and Violet (Bill) Shaughnessy of Clark Lake; brother-in-law, Larry (Barb) Dull of Spring Arbor; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Pat was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, James VanDuren. Her funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home (2300 S. Lincoln Rd.) in Mt. Pleasant with Pastor Dennis Bromley officiating. A luncheon will follow at the funeral home immediately following the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the service begins. Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Good Grief (Albright Park Camp & Retreat Center, 3156 190th Ave., Reed City MI 49677). Envelopes are available at the funeral home.