Patricia Mae DeLano (Rosplock) “Pat”, age 78 of East Grand Rapids passed
away Friday, February 16, 2018 after a 7-year battle with Frontal Temporal
Lobe Dementia. She was preceded in death by her daughter Denise Marie
DeLano.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years Richard; sons Michael DeLano
(Marcia); Dennis DeLano-Taylor (Merritt); grandchild Patrick; and many
nieces and nephews. Born March 19, 1939 in Ludington, Michigan to
Stanley and Mable (Yeck) Rosplock, she relocated to Grand Rapids,
Michigan after graduating from Central Michigan University in 1960. She
served as a second-generation elementary school teacher and consultant for
the Grand Rapids Public Schools, retiring after 30 years of service. She met
and married Richard in Grand Rapids in 1963.
They eventually moved to East Grand Rapids to raise their family and have
resided there ever since. Her Catholic faith was the foundation of how she
lived her life; devoted to her family as a daughter, wife, mother and most
recently as a grandmother. In the spring, you could find her tending to her
English garden and enjoying all of nature and animals, including her
shelties.
She loved spending warmer months at her childhood family home in
Ludington, Michigan. In any season you could find her walking her dogs
and avidly engaged in books on American history, autobiographies or
current events of the day. She had a passion for her homes and baking,
possessed a creative and tasteful touch with interior design and a shared a
zest for international travel with her husband and children. She believed
strongly that all things were temporary and that giving back to those in need
is what truly matters in one’s life. This was reflected in her daily interactions
and in her generosity to non-profit organizations whose missions she and
her husband identified with.
She was a patron of the arts, including the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Friends and family will sorely miss her reflective and thoughtful guidance.
The family is deeply grateful for the care provided by the many caregivers
during her illness, as well as the entire staff at the Mercy Health Hauenstein
Neuroscience Center. The family will meet with friends, neighbors and
relatives during visitation hours from 6-8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19
at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. S.E., Grand Rapids.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, February 20, 10:00
a.m. at St. Ambrose Chapel of St. Andrew Cathedral, 301 Sheldon S.E.,
Grand Rapids. Rev. Bill Edens, CSP presiding. Interment Graceland
Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
Born: March 19, 1939
Death: February 16, 2018
Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Sea Turtle Conservancy or the
Alzheimer’s Association of West Michigan.