Patricia Ann Schmidt Hiatt

Patricia passed away on September 10, 2018 in Battle Creek, Michigan after a long and brave fight against breast cancer. Patricia was a native of Gunnison, Colorado, the oldest of five children. Much of her early life was spent living the Army Brat life, traveling from one post to another, while dragging her younger sisters and brothers on many wonderous adventures to libraries, beaches or to be "chaperones" on her dates. The family settled in Battle Creek where Patricia completed her senior year of high school at Battle Creek Central. Shortly thereafter, she took on her most favorite role ever and became a mom and, as time went on, her role was expanded to that of "Granny." Patty's motto was "You and me against the world," when it came to her children and grandchildren and it was amazing to grow up knowing that she had our backs unconditionally. Known to her family as a strong, sassy independent woman who embrace a well-rounded life, from luxurious bed linens to walking barefoot through wet grass with her painted bright red toenails, Aunt Patty knew how to enjoy what was in front of her and she took great delight in bringing her nieces along for the ride. Haunted houses and scary movies will always be remembered because of Aunt Patty. Survivors included: daughter Petra McGinnis (Mike Armstrong); son Philip (Laura) McGinnis; grandchildren Kalissa Stone (Kevin Moody), Kelsie Stone and Jason McGinnis; nieces and nephews Jamiee Clark (Hollis Conway), Stephanie (Tim) Gieske, Christina Schmidt; Adam Wagner and Benjamin and Tunney Schmidt; brothers Forrest Schmidt and Curtis (Sheila) Schmidt; sisters Arta (Jim) Clark and Cindy (Steve) Wagner; father of her children Paul McGinnis; and perhaps the one who is feeling her loss the hardest, the love of her life, Philip N. Hiatt. He is left behind with almost 50 years of memories of a life spent loving and cherishing a woman who he refers to as his sweetie. Together, they lived a life full of passion and love that all started one day because she needed a new water softener and he was the Culligan man.   

Information from Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek, Michigan online on September 12, 2018 ( www.farleyestesdowdle.com ) and website mylife.com