Obituary of Mary Pat Hamilton

HAMILTON, Mary Pat of Saginaw, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at St. Mary's of Michigan Hospital with her family by her side. She was 71 years old. Mary Pat Gallagher was born on March 25, 1943 to the late John and Lucille (Strong) Gallagher in St. Johns, Michigan. She married the love of her life, Eugene "Gene" Joseph Hamilton on August 31, 1963 in St. Johns; he survives her. Mary Pat was a proud graduate of St. Johns High School and Bronson School of Nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse. She also attended Central Michigan University where she earned her Bachelor's of Business Administration in Health Care Management. Her nursing career spanned both McLaren Hospital in Flint as well as Saginaw General Hospital. She was a volunteer with St. Mary's of Michigan Hospital and their Women's Auxiliary, the Children's Free Ward Association, and Field Neurosciences Institute. She was also a member of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), and involved with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Saginaw Valley State University. She enjoyed playing piano, needle work, bicycling and wintering in Florida with her husband, Gene. Mary Pat also enjoyed the times she spent at Crumbs Gourmet Café with her fellow "Crumb-ettes". Above all, Mary Pat loved and cherished her times with her beloved husband, children and especially her grandchildren. Surviving are her loving husband of 51 years, Eugene "Gene" J. Hamilton of Saginaw; two sons: John (Diana Gourlay) Hamilton of Bethesda, MD, and Jeffrey (Linda Flotta) Hamilton of Harrisburg, PA; four grandchildren: Nicholas, Trevor, Ryan and Cheyenne Hamilton; several sisters- and brothers-in-law: Marilyn (Don) Hamilton Goyette, Genora (Tom) Goyette Halligan, Mickey (Sandy) Hamilton, Lana (Michael) Zelley, Ellen (Gary) Root, Neil Hamilton, and Rita (Tom) Rutter. Also surviving are many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother, Dennis Gallagher and his wife, Alice. FUNERAL: Funeral Liturgy will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 5375 State Street. Rev. Fr. Tom Thompson will officiate. Rite of Committal will follow in St. Andrew Mausoleum. VISITATION: Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State) on Thursday and Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Vigil Service honoring Mary Pat will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday evening. Mary Pat will lie in state at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Mayme Hamilton Scholarship Fund at Saginaw Valley State University. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home, church or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com.