Patricia A. "Pat" (Alexander) Lamothe

Patricia A. LaMothe, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend passed away in Ave Maria Florida, April 20, 2021. She was 92. Keeping her in prayer and cherished memory are her husband of 71 years, W.E. (Bill) LaMothe, six children, Alexis, Lesley, Chris, Ryan, Regan and Sydney (McManus), eleven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and three sisters, Rosemary, Harriet and Hollis.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Eben Roy Alexander, Mary Louise Alexander, and three brothers, Roy Jr., Charles and Stephen.

Pat was born in St. Louis, Missouri where her father was a reporter for the St. Louis Post Dispatch. After taking a new position with Time magazine, her father moved the family to New York where Pat attended Dominican Academy and then Rosemont College in Philadelphia; later receiving her bachelor's degree from Fordham University.

Pat met her future husband in New York, where Bill attended Xavier Academy, served two years in the Navy and then graduated Fordham. They were married on June 24, 1950 in Port Washington, New York. Bill was employed as a salesman at the Kellogg Company. As Bill rose through the ranks of Kellogg's they were transferred to Battle Creek, Michigan. Though Pat was dismayed to leave her family and move so far away, she grew to love her new home and became very involved in many charitable and community endeavors.

Bill would eventually become CEO of Kellogg's and would often say that he couldn't have done it without Pat. This was no empty claim. Pat was a voracious reader and astute in business and politics. She traveled frequently with Bill and was at his side as his most trusted advisor. This was witnessed many times by the writer of this obituary. Bill relied on Pat to advise him on the most critical decisions he made in his career, while he advised her on the management of the household, where she was the undisputed CEO. Bill traveled frequently in his career, while Pat did the heavy lifting raising six energetic and precocious children.

Pat had a cheeky sense of humor. She was quick with a quip and used her wit to engage business leaders and check any out-of-control egos, but always with grace and charity and her spectacular smile. Her love of art and design was reflected in her personal style as well as in the striking décor of homes in Michigan and Florida. She was also an encyclopedia of knowledge in plants, birds, music, history, politics and the Catholic Church. It was her faith in God and Holy Mother Church that shaped Pat's vocation as a wife and mother, as well as her political beliefs. Her love of the Latin Mass strengthened her marriage and inspired many to join her in faithful orthodoxy. It was no surprise that her passing was full of prayer, holy and very peaceful. She was surrounded by her family, especially her dear husband, who was holding her hand when she passed.

A Requiem Latin Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Robert Sirico, 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 6, 2021, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 151 Garfield Avenue S.W., Grand Rapids, MI 49504. The Mass for Pat LaMothe will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/949554/9a9625d057
A private committal for Pat's family will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

The LaMothe family is deeply grateful for the many prayers, masses and condolences that have been offered for Pat. Memorial contributions can be made to any three of Pat's most cherished charities: The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter: https://fssp.com/support/
Sacred Heart of Jesus Academy: https://shgr.org/stewardship/
Donahue Academy: https://donahueacademy.org/support/ways-to-give/

Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal memories for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.