Patricia Anne Denemy

Patricia Anne (Mort) Denemy passed peacefully in her sleep at Independence Village in Petoskey, Michigan, on Thursday, March 26, 2026. She was 91 years old.

Pat was born on August 20, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan, the only daughter of six children to Arthur Carroll and Gladys (Younker) Mort. She is proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years William I. Denemy and daughter Mary Theresa. She is survived by her daughter Judy Smith (husband Greg Smith, deceased); son William A. Denemy (wife Natalie Denemy, deceased); daughter Joanie Denemy; son Brian Denemy; and daughter Terri Denemy (husband Jerry Postema). She is blessed with six grandchildren Michael Denemy, Justin Denemy, Joey Denemy, Margaret Feil, James Postema, and Joy Postema; five great-grandchildren William and Chloe Feil; Jacob, Joshua, and Rachel Elkins. She has five beloved Mort brothers and their wives - Don & Jane (both deceased), Jim & Alice, Keith (deceased) & Beverly, Jack & Jean (deceased), Charles “Spike” & Linda (deceased), and adored nieces and nephews, Ruth (deceased), Steve, David, Vicki, Brett, Leslie (deceased), Keith, Tom, Dan, Greg, Kevin, Michelle, and Todd.

She spent her early years tending to her children while her husband pursued a very successful career with the Michigan State Police. After her youngest children began school, she started working part-time and eventually full-time for the Soil Conservation Service first in West Branch and later in Stanton. In that role, she was known as the “Tree Lady’ running the very successful annual tree seedling program.

After retirement she and her husband spent winters in Florida near her parents and brothers and the warmer months in Stanton. Eventually they returned to Michigan full-time settling in Petoskey, where she rekindled old school time friendships from her years at Charlevoix where she was a rambunctious high school cheerleader.

Pat loved to be social, and her friends and family meant the world to her. Hugs were given freely and she rarely missed a social or church activity, especially in her time at Independence Village where she was cherished by residents and staff. She was known for her sunny disposition, lighting up a room with her vivacious spirit, and singing joyfully. She could strike up conversation with anyone – and usually did – often turning a stranger into a lifelong friend. She adored her many grand dogs, was an ardent Michigan fan, frequently heard yelling, “Go Blue!” Her Catholic faith was important to her, and she was certainly warmly greeted home by her Heavenly Father.

Her funeral (Celebration of Life) Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 7, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 961 W. Houghton Ave., West Branch. The visitation will be held from 10-11AM and the funeral mass will begin at 11AM. The wearing of her favorite colors, pink and purple, is encouraged.

Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the following charities:

Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, 1349 US 131, Suite A, Petoskey, MI 49770

Brother Dan’s Food Pantry, 415 State Street, Petoskey, MI 49770

Montcalm County Aging Commission, 613 N. State Street, Stanton, MI 48888

Rea Family Animal Shelter, 1367 M-33, West Branch, MI 48661