Patricia Anne Zobel
Patricia Anne Zobel, 83, passed away July 25, 2021 surrounded by family.
Patty was born March 18, 1938 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She grew up in St. Paul and had fond memories with her 4 younger siblings in the bungalow on Dayton St.
She graduated from Our Lady of Peace High School. Soon after, she became active in the worker movement and answered the call to move to Chicago as an organizer for Young Christian Workers. That led her to move to Detroit in 1960 where she became active in the civil rights movement. She was proud to participate in the Walk to Freedom march, when Martin Luther King, Jr. first delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in Detroit.
In the early 60's Patty met Francis "Mike" Zobel and moved to Highland Park with 3 friends. 1970 was a big year: she and Mike married, and they bought their house on Farrand Park and land in Good Hart. Their only child, Anne, was born in 1972. She was very active in civic life in Highland Park, serving on the board of the Lions Club. In 1984, Patty returned to work and served as manager of the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. She remained in this role until her first cancer diagnosis in 1993. Over the next 28 years, the only thing she did more frequently than defeat cancer was travel the world with family. At least when they weren't enjoying their cabin in Good Hart.
Patty leaves behind her husband Mike and daughter Anne Zobel of Highland Park; sister Nancy Cullen of Brooklyn Park, MN; brothers Tom Ryan and John Ryan of St. Paul, and Richard ("Pat") Ryan of Evanston, IL; 17 nieces and nephews; and 4 honorary grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Friday, August 6 from 2pm to 6pm at Andrews Funeral Home at 12809 Rosa Parks, Detroit, MI 48238. A memorial service will be held on August 7.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruth Ellis Center or Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council.
Posted online on July 30, 2021
Published in The Detroit News
