Patricia Jean (Szarowicz) Vanatta

Patricia Jean Vanatta, 77, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinsons and Dementia at the end. Pat was born August 22, 1946, in Chicago, IL. Daughter of Julius M. and Beatrice (Yell) Szarowicz, she went to St. Stanislaus Kostka grade school, graduated from Annunciation High School, and attended NMU College in Marquette, MI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. Pat married John Stapleton and moved to Manistique, MI, where she was a teacher for 34 years.  They raised 2 children there:  John Stapleton (Kelli),  Garden, MI, and Gwen (Tom Faber), Blanchard, MI. Pat was active and a go-to person to organize activities.  She loved to travel, golf and be with family. She was devoted to her Catholic Church and, for many years, was a weekly prayer warrior and prayer group leader at St Francis De Sales Parish. Her husband, John, passed away in 1996.  She continued to teach and mother. In 2001, Pat married Leo "David" Vanatta.  After retiring from their jobs in 2002-2003, they had fun traveling and wintering in Florida. Soon after retirement, Pat was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She and David faced many trials and aches and pains together as the Parkinson's progressed. In 2020, they sold their home in Manistique and moved to Mount Pleasant, MI, not far from Gwen, Tom and grandkids. Pat has family in Marquette and Munising where her dad and mom are buried.  Her sister, Mary Ellen Morris, passed away of Lupus and brother-in-law, Marvin Morris, died of cancer. Pat is survived by her husband, David Vanatta; children, John (Kelli) Stapleton, and Gwen (Tom) Faber; grandchildren, Kelsi (Allen) Dalgord, Holli, Nicholas (Shelby), Travis, Cecilia, Anna, Eliza, Oliver; great grandchildren, Lane Dalgord and Julianna Faber. A funeral Mass for Patricia will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, February 5, 2024, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Beal City. Father Thomas Held will preside. All are invited to the Beal City Knights of Columbus Hall for a meal. The family will receive friends in the gathering room of the church on Monday one hour prior to Mass. She will be laid to rest in the Hiawatha Township Cemetery in Manistique.   Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker Church. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.