Obituary: Patricia Rose Shafer
Patricia Rose Shafer, October 10, 1933 – September 18, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our mother, Patricia, who passed peacefully at the UM Medical Center on September 18.
Patricia was mother to seven, grandmother to eleven, great-grandmother to thirteen, sister to four, and a friend to more than we can count.
Patricia was both a Californian and a Michigander. Patricia’s maternal family (Porter) were early California pioneers and settled near Quincy in the Sierra Valley. The mine, railway, and highway along the Feather River were sources of prosperity. And for Patricia, the town of Twain, built by her Grandfather Granville, was also the destination for many memorable summers, enjoying the river, mountains, and nature.
Her paternal family (Thomas) settled Marshfield, Massachusetts, in 1636. Patricia’s great-grandfather — nine generations removed from William Thomas of Wales — had negotiated a land grant from King Charles I of England. Many of the Thomas clan were later drawn to California in the Gold Rush.
Born in San Francisco in 1933 to Charles and Roma Thomas, Patricia always felt a piece of her heart was there in the City by the Bay. Raising her children in California, in the new parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary (in Belmont), was both a passion and joy.
Her commitment to education never wavered, pursuing the best for both her children and herself as she studied nursing and worked as an LVN for years. The doctors and colleagues greatly respected her commitment to nursing and her professionalism. Her patients loved her compassionate care and contagious sense of humor.
Patricia also had a life-long interest in the theater, and she eventually returned to San Jose State University to study theater and drama, where she earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Patricia truly treasured the gift of the creative spirit and was a dedicated advocate of dramatic arts; she believed in this personal expression as a window into humanity.
She was an accomplished actress, choreographer, and playwright. Her stories and scripts were highly creative and delightful and at the same time she was a total professional in directing and stage management.
Patricia had the opportunity to pursue doctoral work at the University of Michigan. In Ann Arbor, she met Jim Shafer, of Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger fame, and they were married in 1983. They had a wonderful life together running their businesses in Ann Arbor and enjoying their lake house in the Irish Hills, until Jim’s passing in 2004.
Throughout her life, Patricia was passionate about her faith and endeavored to exemplify gracious living: She was generous with her resources and her time in teaching and helping others in the parish and community. She was always diligent in doing good works with charities, catechism, migrant ministries, and for others in need.
Memories bring us great solace in times of loss; as her children, Henry Pohl Jr., Ernest Pohl, Mary (Pohl) Balestrieri, Theresa (Pohl) Wells, Lawrence Pohl, Bernadette (Pohl) Johnson, and Thomas Pohl, we will forever cherish her guiding light and enthusiasm. Patricia is also survived by her two younger sisters, Barbara Emert and Theresa Giosso.
A farewell Mass will be held at St. Joseph Shrine Church in Brooklyn on Wednesday, October 11, at 11am, with interment following immediately after in the Shrine Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale Counties.
Arrangements entrusted to Eineder Funeral Home in Brooklyn.
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