Obituaries

Patricia J. Brighton, age 93, of Brimley, Michigan, died on January 14, 2025. Her final days were spent peacefully in hospice, surrounded by her children. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on March 19, 1931, to Philip and Dorothy (Welch) Robischung.

Pat attended Nazareth Academy and West Michigan University in Kalamazoo, before moving to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, after her marriage in 1953. She worked for several years for the post commander at Camp Lucas and then moved to Brimley for eight years. It was there that she was asked to climb a fire tower and watch for fires for the USDA Forest Service. That job was short-lived as she was offered a position in their local office as a secretary, returning her to the Soo in 1963. She continued working for the Forest Service for twenty-nine years of federal service. In 1991, she retired from a job that not only she liked, but that she made many lifelong friends doing.

In 2000, Pat moved to her summer home at Bay Mills Point, which she winterized and added an addition, personally designing and measuring everything in detail. She often said how happy she was at “Brighton Beach” and how moving there was one of the best decisions of her life. She lived there year-round, appreciating her home, church and community.

Pat was a member of the Soo Penny Ante Investment Club, founding member (and board member) of the Northern International Crime Stoppers for 24 years, dedicated blood donor, volunteer for the CC Hall spaghetti night dinners, member of the LSSU Elders and was a founding member of the BMBs (Bay Mills Bunch), whom she cared for quite deeply. Over the years the group of close friends met weekly for breakfast at the Bay Mills Casino, dinner on Sundays at the Cozy Inn and enjoyed gatherings to celebrate birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.

Throughout Pat’s life, she enjoyed her many friends, travel, family visits, gardening, feeding her birds and her many beagle dogs - especially her beloved Shadow. She was an avid fan of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and followed it faithfully every March.

Pat is survived by her son, Mark Brighton of Manistique, Michigan; daughters, Lisa Brighton of Berkley, Michigan and Terri Brighton of Havelock, North Carolina; granddaughters, Amber Onizuk and Ashley (Christoper) Behm; and five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Dorothy; and former husband, Jack Brighton.

Visitation will be held at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Brimley on January 20, 2025, from 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. with a Mass to be held at 1:30 P.M. Coffee and light food to follow.

Pat’s final resting place will be at Mission Hill Cemetery in the spring, 2025.

Memorial contributions may be left to the Chippewa County Animal Shelter, 3660 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, 49783, Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, 49783 or Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 12014 W. Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, Michigan, 49715.

Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.