It is with great sadness that we announce that Patricia Joyce Cousins, our wife, mom, and grandma, passed away in the early hours of Friday, September 24, 2021 from complications of a stroke.
Pat was born on January 15, 1937 in London, Kentucky, the daughter of Owen and Margaret (Ball) Stewart. She graduated from Wayne High School in 1955. Go Zebras!
She went on to study at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee and graduated with a degree in botany. At Bryan, she met the love of her life, Paul Cousins. She and Paul married on September 3, 1960 and went on to raise three sons, Kevin, Dennis, and Jonathan. She was also blessed with three amazing grandchildren, Kyle, Kara, and Maura Cousins. She adored the grandkids, and they her.
Pat was a busy lady - she worked as a Med Tech at St. Joe’s Hospital and Ward Lab for 36 years. Pat and Paul created, owned, and operated Cousins Heritage Inn in Dexter, Michigan for 18 years. The restaurant quickly became recognized as one of the Midwest top dining destinations. Pat also found time for community activities including Treasurer of the Dexter Library Board, Dexter Garden Club, seamstress at Encore Theater, Dexter Historical Society, and Dexter Senior Center.
Pat was an incredible wife, best mother, grandma, mother-in-law, sister, and friend, who fiercely loved and supported her family. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Paul; sons Kevin, Dennis (Kathy), and Jon; grandchildren Kyle, Kara and Maura; sisters Thurma Lea Triplett, Anne Basham, Dona Zuckerman, Betty Ellington, Mona Messenger, and Raylene Izak; brother, Wally Steward; a hoard of beloved nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Owen Stewart, Margaret Rippee, Azril (Jack) Rippee, and brother, Richard (Buddy) Rippee.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine St., Dexter, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Dexter District Library in Pat’s memory.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
