Odile Marie Fitzpatrick, 90, formerly of 2906 Connon Street, Alpena, passed away in Davison on Monday, January 21, 2008. Born August 31, 1917 in Montmorency County to the late William and Amelia (Sheff) Villeneuve. On June 28, 1941 she married John Willard Gokel, and he preceded her in death on August 8, 1960. On August 31, 1979 she married E. Mark Fitzpatrick in Carrollton at St. John the Baptist Church with Rev. James Fitzpatrick officiating. Mrs. Fitzpatrick had been employed as a public school teacher for 28 years and retired in 1977. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and the Retired Teachers Association.
Odile was an inspiration to all who met her. Her love of teaching, which started at the Hill School in Wellington Township and continued full time at the Long Rapids School after first husband Willard died, were very happy and fulfilling days for her. She loved to travel during her summer vacations, which she did with her sister, Exora Creamer.
In her later years, Odile used her experience of teaching others to teach herself to see with her fingers as her blindness from Glaucoma progressed. Her use of safety pins for marking the front of her clothes, rubber bands for marking certain items which were important to her, and making rosaries for those in need, were some of the things she taught herself after years of blindness.
Her move to Davison to the Assisted Living "Apartment" as she called her new home was a very happy time for her. She met so many wonderful people, plus she was able to spend her remaining days with her family. We would especially like to thank the entire staff at her assisted living for all the care they gave Mom and all the family members that stayed day and night with her during her remaining days, also Advantage Hospice staff for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice Advantage or St. John the Evangelist Building Fund.
She is survived by her daughter, Ronda, son-in-law, Dennis Seiler of Lapeer; stepsons, Larry (Joyce) of Grand Ledge, Mark (Kris) of Alpena, Father James Fitzpatrick of Standish; 1 sister-in-law, Lucille Kowalewsky; her grandchildren, Andrew (Karenda) Seiler of Ann Arbor, Matthew Seiler of Arlington, Virginia, Larry Fitzpatrick II of Farmington Hills, Mark and Nathan Fitzpatrick of Alpena, Mieka Fitzpatrick, Jody (Todd) Naylor, Jenee (Matt) St. Germain; and 9 great-grandchildren.
Odile was preceded in death by her sisters, Exora Creamer, Amelia Fortier, Leona Wang; and brother, Leo Villeneuve.
Family and friends may call at the Bannan Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-8 p.m. and visitation will continue Friday at St. Bernard Catholic Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. James Fitzpatrick officiating.
Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery
Memorials: St. Bernard Catholic Church
