Pearl M. Pattison

Pearl M. Pattison passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 26, 2023. She was born on January 29, 1921. She was the second of 5 children born to Richard and Grace Hathaway of Hastings, Michigan. After graduating from Hastings High School, she attended WMU. (Then called Western Michigan Teachers College).

She married John W. Duff in 1941 right after Pearl Harbor. While John was overseas in WWII, she worked at Willow Run Bomber Plant for over two years and then joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) as a nurse. After the war was over, she and John spent 24 years together. They had two children, Mary Ann Barton and John Michael Duff. Pearl was later united in marriage to Richard Hamilton and Bert Pattison who preceded her in death.

She was a colorful, exuberant, joyous person, beloved by her extended family. She was known as "Aunt Sunny" to her nieces and nephews, "Jean" to her many square dance friends and "Gram" to her loving grandchildren.

She had a lifelong passion for environmental issues as well as political issues and was a bird and animal lover. She bowled, golfed and square danced for many years and loved raising flowers. She worked for Bronson Hospital for 15 years and then retired from the Upjohn Company in 1988. After retiring, she taught herself to play the organ and also learned to quilt.

She is survived by her son, Mike (Barbara) Duff of Gowen, Michigan; five grandchildren: Robert Barton, Stacey Dekema, Wade Whisler, Megan Whisler, and Kelsie (Joe) Lockwood; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is being planned for Springtime.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.