Carolyn Patricia (Pat) Crudup  , age 76, departed peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, January 28, 2021, in her home in Dearborn Heights, MI.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Denise Crudup, her son-in-law, Leon Wilson, currently living in Cleveland, OH, and her granddaughter Bianca Wilson, who now lives in Seattle, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy Mae (Brown) and Major Cash, and her older sister, Donna Jean (Cash) Washington.

Pat was born on May 2, 1944, in Detroit, MI. Pat lived most of her life in Inkster, MI. She briefly attended Inkster High School; however, she eventually graduated from Robichaud High School in 1962. She continued her education at Cleary College in Ypsilanti, MI graduating in 1964 with an Associate Degree in Accounting. From there, Pat worked as a bookkeeper for Greyhound Lines, Inc. Needing a more lucrative professional position, after a couple of years, Pat took a job as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. In 1972, Pat began working at Ford Motor Company in Livonia, MI, where she held several positions. Alongside her father, Pat was an active member of the United Autoworkers Union. After 35 years of service, Pat retired from Ford in June 2007.

Pat was not idle during her retirement. She achieved her dream of traveling to both Hawaii and Alaska. In addition to her travel adventures, Pat also earned additional credentials from what was then known as Henry Ford Community College, an associate degree in Applied Science Culinary Arts, with another Certificate of Achievement in Baking and Pastry. After completing her culinary arts education, she briefly worked part-time at a local bakery.

Pat's baked goods were well-liked and "spirited." For this reason, both were in high (pun intended) demand for all sorts of holidays and special occasions.

Pat was also known for creating miniature Christmas trees for the annual Festival of Trees, a benefit and auction for the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation. For nearly a decade, Pat would make nearly 100+ trees per year for the charity.

Even more well-known and in-demand were her quilts. Like most women in her family, Pat had been a crafter for most of her life. From ceramics to crocheting, to macrame, Pat was always making something. However, it wasn't until retirement that she picked up the craft of quilting. Even more so than her boozy baked goods, her quilts were in demand. Pat even earned a Blue Ribbon for one of her quilts at a local county fair. Her most in-demand creations were quilts with old family photos on them.

Yes, Pat was a busy, talented woman who maximized her time during retirement. For most of her life, Pat was an introvert and not very social. However, through her baking and crafting, Pat's social circle grew significantly through her quilting. Her squad, known as "The Girls," took quilting classes together, explored local restaurants, and just hung out together. When she moved into her apartment in Dearborn Heights in 2016, her place became one of their unofficial clubhouses.

 All are welcome to attend the memorial gathering and celebration of Pat's life between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home in Dearborn, MI. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a traditional funeral repast will not be held. 

Poem

When I Must Leave You

By Helen Steiner Rice

When I must leave you for a little while,

Please do not grieve and shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow to you through the years,

But start out bravely with a gallant smile;

And for my sake and in my name

Live on and do all things the same,

Feed not your loneliness on empty days,

But fill each waking hour in useful ways,

Reach out your hand in comfort and cheer

And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;

And never, never be afraid to die,

For I am waiting for you in the sky!

Pallbearers

Gregory Brown             Dwayne Brown

Robert Brown Jr.           Stanley Brown

Courtney Washington   Leon Wilson

Interment

 United Memorial Gardens 

4800 Curtis Road

Plymouth, Michigan

Arrangements Entrusted To

 Howe-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services 

22546 Michigan Avenue

Dearborn, Michigan

Acknowledgement of Appreciation

The family of Carolyn Patricia (Pat) Crudup acknowledges with sincere appreciation the many comforting messages, prayers and many other expressions of kindness and concern evidenced at this time in thoughts and deeds. A more personal acknowledgment will be made at a later date.

In place of flowers, please consider donating in memory of Carolyn Patricia Crudup to one, or both, of the following charitable organizations:

The Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation:  https://yourchildrensfoundation.org/honor-memorial/  or

Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan:  https://www.gcfb.org/