November 15th, 1938 - January 9th, 2022
The world got brighter the day Patricia Ann was born to William Lee (Bill) and Rebecca Elizabeth (Betty) Carpenter in Akron, Ohio. The family moved numerous times during Pat's childhood until the family that then included little brothers Bill, Dave, and Tim, settled on Merrimac Farm in Pennsylvania. It was there that Pat graduated as Valedictorian at Pennridge High School and met her late first husband, Tom Frank. Following her parents' footsteps, Pat and Tom both later graduated from Northwestern University, Pat as Phi Beta Kappa. (She later lamented that she should have studied less and had more fun!). It was in Illinois that Pat and Tom also welcomed their two daughters, Debbie and Carol.
While in her late twenties, and following a tragic car accident, Pat was left in a wheelchair and told she would never walk again. Anyone that knows Pat knows that was a challenge she would meet. Defying all odds, not only did she walk but she returned to walk many miles (a favorite pastime) in her later years.
Later, as a single mother with two small girls, Pat went to work full time at Michigan Bell and grew to lead the mechanization of Treasury. She later headed Market Research for Michigan Bell (ATT) and traveled to Chicago often. She retired with her second (late) husband Al Semonian. She and Al enjoyed traveling with the Nomads (Detroit travel group) and were able to enjoy many international and national trips. She even treated Al to a trip on the Concorde on his 70th birthday. Pat and Al were staunch Wolverine Fans and could be found in Ann Arbor for all home games where they shared a Reuben sandwich and Coors beer.
Pat was the glue that kept the Carpenter and Frank families together - hosting all major holidays at her home on Wye Oak, featuring home-made, full course meals complete with her famous pecan rolls, and Swedish cookies. She above all was an amazing role model, mother, grandmother (Nonnie) and great grandmother. The quintessential mother, she always had a home cooked meal for Deb and Carol and somehow attended all their sporting and music events over the years. In her later years, she continued this by supporting them and their families at marathons, bike tours and more. She ran the San Jose Turkey Trot with Deb and her family every year and the Bolder Boulder with Carol and hers annually.
Pat moved to Colorado in 2011 and continued to support her children in their endeavors. Unfortunately, through several health events, it became more difficult for her to be independent yet true to her determination, she was able to not only live independently after 2 strokes but also joined the Anthem Ranch ladies for water aerobics weekly.
While her determination defined her character, she was best known for her charitable nature - always putting others first and without fail, finding the perfect Hallmark card for every occasion. As a testament to her loyalty, Pat remained a loyal Detroit Lions fan (and Tigers) until the end.
Pat is survived by her brothers Tim (Kate) Carpenter, Bill (Susan) Carpenter and her late brother, Dave (Lynn) Carpenter and their families. She will always be the Best Mom Ever to Debbie Brassfield (San Jose), Carol (Chris) Maurer of Boulder and the best Nonnie ever to Danny (Gaby) Brassfield of Seattle, Codie (Shelley) O’Connell of Gilroy, California, Brianna Zoltie of Reno, Nevada; Parker (Kyrie) Williams of Aliso Viejo, California; and Keaton Williams (Seani) of Boulder, Colorado. She is Great Nonnie to Caden Lord Williams of Boulder.
Special thanks to all the friends and neighbors at Anthem Ranch; First United Methodist Churches of Birmingham, MI and Broomfield, CO; the kind folks at Tru Hospice; and to our extended family Tammy Salinas and Barb Schindler who provided love and care to Pat and all of us in these past years.
Services to be held in Vero Beach Florida where Pat will be interred with her parents and in Birmingham, MI at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please pay a random act of kindness to someone, or give them a yellow flower and think of Pat. Donations may be sent to Tru Hospice in her name.
