Patricia Jane Nowicki

Patricia Jane Nowicki, age 84, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away on June 1, 2025 surrounded by her family. She was born on Oct 19, 1940 to Albert & Virginia Lemarbre and attended Catholic Central high school where she met the love of her life Donald Nowicki. He preceded her in death in 2016 but she continued to be devoted to him for 63 years of their marriage. She is now home at peace reunited with Don along with her sisters Carol Gaglio and Leslie Keck. Pat was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She was a natural talker with a gift for conversation and she could (and would) talk to anyone, anywhere about anything - books, parenting, politics, religion or life. You always knew where she stood and her opinion. Her voice, quick wit and unfiltered wisdom made her unforgettable. Her love of music, especially jazz, was sparked early in life by her father, Al, a talented jazz musician. The sounds of horns & rhythm filled her childhood home, planting a life long appreciation for all music that she carried over into her children’s lives. Patsy was an avid reader with a strong opinion on every book she picked up and she wasn’t shy about sharing her thoughts with her friends. Whether a raving review or less than glowing one, she brought honesty, passion and humor to every discussion at her Gilda’s book club meetings. One of her greatest joys was spending summers at their cottage on Woodbeck Lake, where she found peace on the water and God’s presence in the sunsets. No matter if she spent a quiet morning with a book and coffee on the deck, an afternoon filled with family and friends or an evening on the pontoon boat, the lake was her happy place for many years. Pat had dedicated most of her life to caring for children - not only to her own but to countless others in the neighborhood where she lovingly ran a home daycare for decades. Her home was a place of safety, laughter, learning and endless snacks. With patience, warmth, firmness and an unwavering love, she helped raise a generation of children who knew her as the neighborhood mom. Her love and wisdom lives on in every life she touched. She will be greatly missed and is survived by her children Craig Nowicki, Paul and Deb Nowicki and Brad Nowicki. Her grandson Dan Nowicki. Her brother Chuck and Kim Lemarbre family and many nieces and nephews. Please join us for an evening of laughter, good food and cherished memories as we celebrate Pat’s life on June 27, 2025 at the Casino Club of GR on 3260 Salerno Dr NE from 4-7 pm. Instead of flowers, if you’d like to do something in her memory, Pat would’ve loved donations to go to Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids- it meant a lot to her.

Tributes

Patricia Jane Nowicki

October 19, 1940 - June 1, 2025