Patricia “Paddy” Fitch

23 Tributes for “Patricia “Paddy” Fitch”

A wonderful women whose life touched so many. She taught my 3 children to swim. Her inspiration and wonderful personality encouraged them all to continue on to the swim team and then into life guarding and teaching lessons. My 4 year old even help save my 3 years life when her floater came off in the pool and no one noticed she did and swam her over to the ladder. You will be remembered by many and will certainly be welcomed into God’s hands. Thank you.

I was introduced to Paddy when she was a 26 year old newcomer to Escanaba, the wife of young Dr. Fitch. She had a smiley, bouncy personality. The last time I saw her at age 82 her personality hadn’t changed at all. Remarkable.

What a wonderful lady……she taught my kids how to swim…..she will truly to missed….RIP Miss Paddy

The youth of Delta County may never be blessed again with a more compassionate and caring person the likes of Patty Fitch. God Bless you Patty.
Keith Whitman
Coach
United States Luge Team

Friend, mentor, role model, matriarch, leader, cheerleader, fun loving, analytical, generous, energetic, teacher, industrious. All these qualities in one person. What a lady! Privileged to know her, sad that she will not be among us her on earth, and glad that she will be reunited with Don in eternity.

Paddy spent decades in service to others in many organizations; my experience with her was mostly in Scouting. In that way, Paddy had a positive impact in the lives of hundreds of boys. A great part of the community is no longer with us.

I remember both Dr. and Mrs Fitch very fondly. As a teen, I baby sat for them. Dr. Fitch was our family doctor. Mrs Fitch was in my Mother’s bridge club and in our church. She was a clever, amusing, and energetic person who always had a kind for for everyone. Tiny, attractive, and bursting with energy, Mrs Fitch made every group she was in come alive and be enjoyable. She was one of those women you see as a child and think, “I want to be just like her.” She made me think of a hummingbird, tiny, full of energy, and sparkling.

As I remember, Mrs. Fitch was very active in our church, helpful to her husband’s doctors office, and the mother of three lively and attractive little boys. She is one of the mothers who seemed always seemed to enjoy being with a crowd of lively children. Mrs. Fitch was as good with adults as she was with children. She always seemed to know how to truly connect well with those around her. When she came to our house, the laughter was longer and deeper. Everyone seemed to have an even better time, including Mrs Fitch. When the situation was sad, she was there doing everything possible to make things better.

Her family and friends have my deepest sympathy. Paddy Fitch is irreplaceable.

My heart absolutely aches over this. Paddy was a wonderful person, a driven community leader and a gift to mankind. Her absence will be felt for a long, long time. Many prayers to all of the family and friends, like me, who had the distinct pleasure of being in the company of this remarkable woman. RIP Paddy.

We will miss Paddy, she was fun to be with. I enjoyed her class at the Y, Craig and I going backpacking with Paddy, Doc and the boy scouts and all the cooking we did together for the scouts. Will never forget your kindness, leadership and friendship.

Many prayers to all the family.

Paddy was a beautiful woman inside and out. She had the heart of gold. Her energy level was always at the top of the energy level pole. If it had not been for her giving of her own time, our son, Tom, would not have gotten the merit badge needed to become an Eagle Scout. She and her late husband, Dr. Don, were two of a kind, caring, loving, and giving all they could to the people of Delta Country. I am sure more young boys became Eagle Scouts because of his and her involvement with the Boy Scouts. She will truly be missed. My sympathy to her family. May the memories you have of your mother, grandmother, bring a smile to your face. I am sure She and Don are happily united again and are busy continuing with their unselfish work in Heaven. May you rest in peace Paddy. On December 12, 2017 God received a very special Angel.

To the Fitch Family. Feel like I knew Paddy after researching your family tree for Bob. So so sorry for your loss. You are all in our prayers.

Remember fondly Paddy’s smile, laugh, and enthusiasm. Was so sorry to hear of her untimely death. One of my favorite memories of her was when she organized a snow shoe softball game. It was hilarious !!!!! Rest In Peace dear Paddy.

Dear family of Paddy
Our PEO Chapter Z are very sadden by the passing of our dear friend and sister Paddy. There is a saying that not all angels are in heaven some walk the earth and that was truly true of Paddy. She was an angel to so many including us. Her gentle kind and humble ways were an inspiration to all of us. Her smile was contagious and her laugh too. She was so much fun to be with and we learned so much from her. This community has suffered a great loss but we have been so blessed to know and love her. She was a great advocate for children the elderly and for the causes she truly believed in. Our prayers are with you we know she loved all of you very much because family was so important to her. Now she is in heaven with Don and we know she is smiling down on you and everyone she knew. God created a good work in her.

Patty, such a wonderful lady. So enjoyed your aerobic classes at the Y. You will be so missed by so many whose lives you touched. Rest In Peace dear friend.

We have lost a wonderful human that has touched so many people in this area. She was a bright and shining star for us all. All she never stopped caring or working on things that touched us all. To say she will be missed is an understatement. God bless you and I know when you met our savior he will welcome you with open arms and say WELL DONE Patty.

It is with deep sadness we heard of the passing of Paddy. Going back to the early years of founding of the YMCA, Paddy was a driving force to make Delta County better. Without her push the Y would never have been possible. She will be missed more than anyone knows. May you rest in peace.

To the dear family of Paddy: I’ve only known your mother personality for about three years, in that time we became such dear friends. She was beyond a kind wonderful woman. The only person that was able to help me overcome my extreme fear of water. And to even teach me to swim at age 66. I will miss her terribly , she spoke of her boys so fondly, I wish that we could meet as we are snowbirds and will not be here for her Celebration . I am so Thankful to have known and loved her!

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefits–Psalm 103:1,2
What a blessing Paddy was to her family and friends. Never knew anyone with more energy and enthusiasm. She was fun to work with in the Ford River PTA . Last time we saw Don and Paddy we ran into each other about 10 years ago at a wayside in lower Michigan. Though her death was sudden and unexpected, what a blessing not to have to suffer!
Our sincere sympathy to the family for your loss.

We were “old” friends of Don and Paddys. Bill Neumann and Don Fitch met as undergrads at U of M…pledged the same fraternities, both undergrad and medical. We were stationed on the Rosebud Indian Reservation together in the early 60’s. Had children similar ages, and had many get togethers over the years. Bill Neumann was an Orthopaedic surgeon in Marquette, and Don and Paddy were in Escanaba 66 miles away, where Don was a Family Physician. Paddy was a force to be reckoned with….so full of fun and “can do” spirit. As many have said, she and Don were a terrific due, committed to the community. I know she will be missed greatly. Our heartfelt condolences to her boys and their families.
Becky Neumann Walsh

As with the passing of Dr. Fitch previously, the loss of Paddy weighs heavy. The two of them impressed upon me service and care with respect to all others. They were tremendous Scout leaders and role models. I would not be were I am today as a person or an Eagle Scout without the support and leadership they both showed me along the way. My thoughts and prayers are with the family as the pages turn and a new chapter begins.

miss you paddy so much that you are love by all

love

sue!

miss you so much paddy that you are love by all at the church of first presbyterian and i wiil miss you .

love
sue!

My Memory of Paddy Fitch:
by Pat Waeghe from Roy Ness Contracting & Sales, Inc.
Our company was building the new YMCA and the swimming pool.
It was a cold late fall day in 1989 and the pool had been formed and concrete poured. The forms were take off, there on the ground, stood the shape of a large pool with piles of dirt around it. We had to fill it with water to make sure it did not leak before we built around it, so it was filled with fresh, cold water that day. I think we used big fire hoses if I remember right.
We stood at the end of the pool with a few planks stretched from a dirt pile to the top of the pool on the South end. It was overcast and cold, the water was dark with cement dust floating on the top. There was Roy Ness, Dr. Don and Paddy Fitch, Gary Nash – the new YMCA Director, Dennis Ness, our Foreman – Russell Berger, and Al and Pat Waeghe from Roy Ness Contracting. Maybe there were a few others. There appeared to be no leaks, so it was Good To Go! We were all happy and excited.
Suddenly we saw Paddy peeling down to her swimsuit (of course) and she dove into the water and lapped the pool before we even realized what was happening. When she got back to the end, she looked up and said, “I just couldn’t wait any longer! I had to be the first one in!” and there was that wonderful little giggle of hers that we love so much. She did a few more laps before she got out.
THAT was Paddy Fitch!

Most people do not know, but if Paddy had not worked with us on the colors, it was going to be all mauve (pink) – the pool, the women’s And men’s locker rooms, and the whole Y- she let us change it to neutrals. Whew! Thanks, Paddy!
(God love her and God Bless her soul – she must be shakin’ up all the other angels!)