Patricia Elaine Rakowski

Patricia Elaine Rakowski passed away peacefully in Denver, Colorado on March 27, 2026 after 86 full years. She was born on March 21, 1940, to Charles and Gladys Hase in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended Southeast High School, where she was named Maid of the Sweetheart Prom and served as president of the Delta Gamma Delta Sorority.

After graduating in 1958, Pat studied dressmaking and design at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. She later moved to Chicago, Illinois to attend United Airlines Stewardess School. Pat spent much of her young adult life traveling extensively around the world as a stewardess. She eventually made Chicago her home, where she continued her career with United Airlines as a Stewardess Scheduling Manager.

It was on an international flight when Pat met the love of her life, Marcel J. Rakowski on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. They married in May,1964 and most recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.

Marcel and Pat settled on Walnut Lake in West Bloomfield, Michigan. For more than 50 years Pat worked tirelessly to create a warm, loving home for family and friends. Pat loved to entertain and was a wonderful hostess, known for her cooking and baking. Their home was the heart of countless gatherings, including annual Fourth of July celebrations, New Year’s Eve parties, birthday clubs, showers, and many casual dinners with friends. In their retirement years, they found happiness in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, where they loved socializing and being active members of the Driftwood Beach Club.

Pat’s greatest joy was motherhood. She took tremendous pride in her sons, Mike, Chris and Marc and cherished every moment of being a mother of three boys. Pat was an active and devoted volunteer at her boys’ school, serving as a room mother and managing IPS the math department at Walnut Lake Elementary, all while never missing a school or sporting event. In later years, she found equal joy in her grandchildren; Nicholas, Christian, Lucy, and Charlie whom she adored and supported in all their endeavors.

As her boys grew, Pat returned to school to pursue nursing. Beginning a second career as a registered nurse, eventually serving as a charge nurse on the mother-baby unit at Beaumont Hospital, all while remaining deeply involved at St. Owen’s Church - her parish for more than 50 years where she served in Outreach for the homeless and The Giving Tree at Christmas.

Throughout every stage of her life, Pat was a kind and thoughtful woman who cared deeply for others. She expressed her love through handwritten cards, tending to those who were ill, supporting friends, and checking in on neighbors. A caregiver at heart, she gave her most devoted and loving care to Marcel until his passing in August 2025.

Pat is survived by her children, Mike of Denver CO, Chris (GIni) Kalamazoo MI, Marc (Jill ) Denver CO, her grandchildren Nicholas, Christian, Lucy and Charlie and a niece, Jennifer Lopez. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marcel, parents, Gladys and Charles Hase, sister and brother in law, Charlene and David Huckaba, and nephew, David Huckaba.

A Mass and Celebration of Life will be held in Michigan at a later date. Details will follow.