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Michelle Renee Patterson was born on August 10, 1956 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to the late Thelma (Younger) & James Henry Patterson Sr. Her maternal grandparents were the late Mary Mildred (Shaffer) and Rufus Hill Younger Sr. Her paternal grandparents were the late Mamie (Hogwood) & Emmanuel Patterson Sr. Her maternal great grandparents were the late Cora Lee (Brown) & George Shaffer and Alice & Eli Younger, and her maternal great grandparents were the late Leona (Persons) Hogwood Stallings and Omega Hogwood. Michelle unexpectedly departed this earthly life at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, MA on Thursday, July 23, 2020.
Michelle’s father’s family lived in Lancaster so there were frequent weekend trips (sometimes twice a month) to and from Boston & Lancaster every year, so many that the first cousins were raised as siblings. That 6-hour drive was nothing! Her Lancaster roots ran deep, and we joked about how much like her grandmother Mamie she was. Tastycakes, chocolate krimpets, creamed chipped beef and Lebanon Bologna were always requested whenever a trip home was made. They were even shipped to their Air Force tours.
Finally, in 1971, her family moved to Boston after their childhood home was taken away in eminent domain by the government. Now they could all be close to her mother’s family. Mikki graduated from Jamaica Plain high school in 1974 where she was an energetic and beautiful cheerleader and where she met her future husband Michael M. Loyd. They were married on February 15, 1975 and unto this union three children were born; Michael Derek, Monique Mekralela, and James Monroe, who died as an infant. She mourned Baby J for the rest of her life.
As an Air Force family, they traveled, spending time in Germany, Oklahoma, & California before moving back to Massachusetts. Her greatest loves were her children. She was raised to believe the importance of family was paramount. She had the sweetest soul, a loving heart, and a cartoon character’s laugh. Family meant the world to her and she will be deeply missed. She like her siblings had a nickname from her mother, Mikki Mouse. She nicknamed Christine and Isaiah Chiquita and Chiquito. She enjoyed sharing her niece Christine’s passion for sewing. Her niece’s children kept her busy and provided a bit of whimsy; they would get her blood boiling, but she adored them.
Mikki was an easy going individual, not a person for drama of any kind. Like many of her family members she was an avid reader. Her famed dishes were lasagna and pineapple upside down cake. Both of Thelma’s daughters are bakers, and Mikki retired from Stop & Shop as a baker shortly before her passing. Mikki’s religious education began at the Mennonite Church directly across from her home. If the doors of the church were open, you could look right inside from their house. When she moved to Boston, she attended The Historic Charles Street AME Church, and later rededicated her life to Christ at Disciples Baptist Church. Her faith was strong, and her soul was as sweet as the cakes she baked.
Mikki and Aunt Alma developed a special bond when her parents left her on her doorstep in Lancaster while they drove to Baltimore for a visit. Her brother Rodney waved to her as the cars pulled away but did not tell his parents Mikki wasn’t in the car. She was an endearing friend to the late Belinda Robinson, late Vanessa Bigby, Valerie Edwards and Louisa Blue. She was so happy to reconnect with many of her childhood friends on Facebook.
Preceding her in death were her great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and beloved siblings James H. Williams, James H. Patterson Jr., Donna M. Patterson, and Derek P. Patterson. Her husband Michael M. Loyd, precious Baby J – James Monroe Loyd, beloved niece Shakonda L. C. Wilson, Mother-in Law and Father-in Law Monroe and Jeanne Lloyd also preceded her in death.
Michelle leaves to honor and cherish her beautiful life her children: Michael D. Loyd, Worcester, MA, Monique M. Loyd , Brockton, MA, Tymarshall Young, Springfield, MA, and Nicholette Cumberbatch, of Orlando, FL. Grandchildren: Justin I. Reid, Brandon, J. Loyd Michaela Bates, Tatiana Bates, Darius Loyd, Tehya Courchine, Angel-Denise Monia, Autumn Monia, Alyse Monia, Deshawn Cumberbatch, Demarcus Cumberbatch, Zabryan Cumberbatch. Sister: Cheryl L. Patterson, of Brockton, MA, Sisters-in Law; Debra Lloyd, Manchester, NH and Michelle Lloyd, Springfield, MA; Brothers-in-Law: Kervin K. Turner Sr. and Ricardo Sultis of Boston, MA, Mother-in-Law Jean Lloyd of Springfield, MA.
Nieces: Christine Albertson, Giannia Rivera, Jimmida Drayden, Tara Williams, Princess Exum, Aquillah Sultis, Rovirter Sultis. Nephews: Kervin Presley, Tyrone Albertson, Isaiah Turner, Tomas C. Lloyd, Aaron M. Lloyd Betts, Christopher S. Lloyd; Shahid Sultis, Aunts: Essie Harrison of Nanuet, NY, Tommie Younger of Thomaston, AL. Margaret Younger of Bowie, MD. Alma Davis of Baltimore, MD. and Cynthia Younger, Boston, MA. Uncle: James Younger of Thomaston, AL. Godchildren: David Edwards, and Syreeta Robinson. Bonus daughters Veronica and Erica Jasey and Bonus granddaughter Harmony and Special Friend Clinton Jasey. Many Brousins, Sister/Cousins, a host of other cousins, relatives, and many friends will miss her dearly.
Her journey was short, but her life was lived with no regrets. She loved her family and she was abundantly loved back.
Michelle’s family requests that you are welcome to pass through Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main St. Brockton on Thursday, July 30th from 2 to 3 p.m. to pay your respects with face masks and social distancing then kindly exit. Please view her service at 3 p.m. remotely by visiting www.waittfuneralhome.com.
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