Patricia M. Privette

Patricia “Pat” (McClelland) Privette, 90, of Toledo, Ohio, died peacefully on May 28th, 2022 at the Ohio Living Swan Creek planned living community. Although faced with medical challenges late in life, Pat was living – as she had throughout her 64-year marriage – alongside her loving husband until her passing. Pat was born in Ravenna, Ohio, in 1932, the daughter of the Honorable Judge George G. and Sarah (Kuhn) McClelland. A self-described tree climbing enthusiast as a child, Pat grew up quickly as other family members’ health issues significantly affected family life. Pat responded by accepting responsibilities typically held by a parent. Perhaps as a result, she strongly emphasized the importance of supportive family relationships throughout her life. After graduating from Ravenna High School in 1950, Pat studied political science at The College of Wooster where she also was a member of the synchronized swimming team. Following graduation, she taught social studies in junior high school in Castalia, Ohio, and later, Birmingham, Michigan. She met her future husband, David “Dave” M. Privette, in Royal Oak, Michigan, through a church young adults group. The two married a year later. Pat gave birth to their first child in Royal Oak, and to two more children after the family moved to Lansing. During this time, Pat often served as the first aid nurse at Boy Scout summer camps where Dave, a professional Boy Scout executive, served as camp director. The family later moved to Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, then Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where Pat taught high school government and history. In 1972, the family moved to Lisbon, Ohio, where Pat and Dave purchased a Western Auto store. They later converted the business to Dave’s True Value Home and Auto, which they grew and operated for 22 years. Pat was an active member and past president of Lisbon’s Business and Professional Woman Club, a dedicated member of the Lisbon Chamber of Commerce, and co-taught Sunday School with Dave at Lisbon’s First Presbyterian Church. In addition to these activities, co-managing the store and raising her children, Pat tutored school children homebound due to illness. In 1994, the couple retired and sold their store. They moved to Adrian, Michigan in 2007, where Pat volunteered at the local library and was active in Adrian’s First Presbyterian Church. Throughout retirement, Pat and Dave traveled extensively, with notable trips to Alaska, New Mexico, Canada and Europe. The couple particularly enjoyed Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) service and mission trips, where they could combine their faith with their love of learning, service and travel. They also cherished annual gatherings of their Wooster friends in upstate New York and New England. In 2019, the couple moved to Ohio Living Swan Creek in Toledo. Pat may be best remembered for her warm smile and cheerful but very practical personality. Although she rarely recited established jokes, she was quick and funny with deadpan quips and one-liners – all delivered quietly and with expert timing. Pat rarely raised her voice and chose her words carefully. If and when her children would ask why they had to do particular tasks, Pat would lovingly explain, “Because I’m your mother, and I said so.” Given her effortless authority and the respect it commanded, this was rarely challenged. Pat also believed her children learned best when trusted with great independence. She encouraged them to seize opportunities, take reasonable risks, and treat any shortcomings as learning moments. She accepted imperfection, but not lack of effort. In groups, Pat primarily listened despite her considerable knowledge of history, government and especially common sense. A lifelong Democrat, Pat held compassionate but pragmatic views that she expressed with knowledge, grace and conviction. She greatly enjoyed family and frequently hosted large reunions and holiday gatherings. She was an avid gardener and reader, and rarely passed on an evening glass of wine, summer gin and tonic, or bowl of ice cream from Dave. Pat could be extraordinarily determined, once postponing a trip to the hospital after breaking her wrist, just so she and Dave wouldn’t miss a performance by The Cleveland Opera. Although she endured health issues in her later years, she never complained or looked backwards. Instead, she treated each as another of life’s challenges to be overcome. She embraced her frequent refrain that “Nobody ever said life was fair,” enabling her to accept life’s wonders and disappointments with equal grace. Pat is survived by her husband David, children Robert, Melinda, and Jeffrey, daughters-in-law Cathy and Ana, son-in-law Dave, grandchildren Audrey, Sarah, Amelia, Franklin, Nathaniel, Arthur and Inez, and great-granddaughter Quinn. She was preceded in death by her father George, mother Sarah, brother Bruce, and step-mother Betty (Wujonovich) McClelland A private memorial service is planned for later this summer. For those wishing to recognize Pat’s extraordinarily well lived life, a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (https://alzfdn.org/) or St Joseph’s Indian School (www.stjo.org) is suggested.