Patrician Ann Opferman, 69, of Marietta died Saturday, September 10, 2011 at Signature Health Care of Marietta in Marietta, GA after many years of living with multiple sclerosis. She was born December 18, 1941 in Adrian, MI to Charles and Irene (Houser) Thompson. She attended St. Mary''s grade school and Catholic Central High School. In her younger years she worked for Prentice Aircraft at the Adrian Airport, where she became a pilot, was a very active member of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and then for Andrew Czmer Realty. In 1969 she married Lloyd K. Opferman. He preceded her in death in 1989. In Marietta, Pat attended St. Andrew''s Methodist Church and was active in the choir and the "Befriender''s group." She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles A. & Irene Thompson , Jr., brother Richard, sister, Betty Jane, and brother Charles L.(Larry) Thompson. She is survived by two sisters; Marjory (Thompson) Iott of Blissfield, MI, Dorothy (Thompson) Clark of Portland, OR. and many nieces and nephews in Michigan, Oregon & Texas. Arrangements have been made through Hutcheson''s Memorial Chapel & Crematory, Buchanan, GA. A memorial service celebrating Pat''s life has taken place at Signature Health Care in Marietta, GA on September 17, 2011. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Andrew Methodist Church, Marietta, GA or to the Humane Society.

Eulogy for Pat, Patricia (Thompson) Opferman Born December 18, 1941 Died on September 10, 2011

By Marjory (Thompson) Iott The life of Pat, or "Aunt Pat" as many of us knew her, is well-worth remembering. She truly kept track of the lives of her family and friends.

Growing up in a family of four siblings, she was the darling, maybe a little spoiled. Her two older sisters were more like her second mothers, but her brother, Larry was a real buddy. Larry had an electric train to engineer, so Pat''s Dad made her a magnificent 2-story doll house, complete with furniture.

The two (Pat and Larry) grew in "grace and age" under the tutelage of all of us, especially "Mom", a great cook and baker. Mom was part nurse and teacher. She read us many fun and exciting nursery rhymes. Pat and Larry also inherited a great two-sided desk from Dorothy and Marjory. This desk also was made by their Dad, a self-made carpenter. It boasted of all the drawers, shelves and pigeon holes a desk should have. They each had their own side.

In tune with her musical life, Pat joined the school band. (Not sure which instrument she played.) Her travels with the band were always followed by her parents.

Another incident in Pat''s young life is still in our memory. In Marjory''s college clothing construction class the pattern chosen showed a dress and companion dress for a little girl. It was perfect for Pat''s age of four. This is when Marjory discovered Pat liked to perform. There was a recital to showcase the students'' accomplishments. Marjory was to come in from stage right and Pat was to enter coming down a ramp. Would she come down that ramp by herself? No worry!! Since they were dressed alike, their hair was braided and fashioned on top of their heads. They each wore white gloves. As their turn came, Marjory entered and Pat came down the ramp just like an adult model meeting her sister at center stage amid generous applause.

Pat liked interacting with her nieces and nephews, the Iott kids (Pat''s oldest sister, Marjory''s, children, 7 of the 14 at that time). Pat and her friend Kathy often visited the Iott''s on Sunday mornings to share in our bacon, fried potatoes and eggs breakfasts.

During High School, Pat found time to take organ lessons. She practiced on the church organ. Pat loved music of all kinds. You need a job to make a living and happily Pat was a really good typist and took a job with Prentice Aircraft at the Adrian airport and later at Andrew Czmer Realty.

Having joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in High School, Pat and Larry both were able to train youngsters to help at airport activities.

Later on Pat won a contest to take flying lessons, which she did. The event led her to earn her pilot''s license. This was probably when Pat met Lloyd, her husband-to-be, as he was CAP instructor. They were married, November 8, 1969 at Immanuel Luthern Church in Palmyra, MI.

After their marriage, Pat and Lloyd bought a house on Round Lake. There happened to be a gooseberry bush or two nearby. Pat often made gooseberry pie which Lloyd loved.

Just before Pat''s marriage, her beloved Dad died. This was a real blow. Her Mom was alone, as Larry had married and left home.

Then the real life-changing news came. Lloyd was assigned a job change to either Texas or Georgia. Pat could choose. Georgia was chosen as it was closest to Michigan. Little by little Pat became addicted to the loving character of the "Georgians" of Marietta except when the University of Michigan Wolverines were playing.

Pat''s serious physical problems developed at this time. She was afflicted by Meniere''s disease which ended her flying career. Then, years after, she noticed different things happening to her. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Pat took advantage of the many helps to live with MS.

She and Lloyd bought a motor home in which they traveled across the US. On some of their journeys, they would park in Marjory''s large yard for a visit.

Lloyd and Pat were truly instrumental in the listing of the inventory needed for the sale of the Iott Electric business. Lloyd described each item and Pat recorded. The results were a great gift!!

Pat also had another beloved older sister, Dorothy, a very special person! All during their lives, Dorothy faithfully watched over her younger sister, even to adulthood.

Many times Dorothy would spend 3 weeks at a time with Pat doing crafts. Later years, Dorothy would send crossword puzzles which Pat loved to do. She also sent many other things for Pat''s pleasure. Dorothy called Pat once a week still watching over her with a sister''s tender eye. Dorothy was a wonderful caregiver always finding different loving ways to minister to Pat.

Pat''s greatest loss was her dear husband, Lloyd. Next, her great loss was her brother, Larry, her growing-up buddy. And of course before that, she lost her special parents.

You folks, at Signature Health Care of Marietta, were most dear to her. Sometimes she would micro-manage your lives, too. When feeling better, she scooted all over in her faithful wheelchair. We discovered that she was a talented water color painter, especially of flower and landcape arrangements, which was developed during the last few years of her stay here. Pat was definitely conversant with her God, individually and through her church, St. Andrews. The choir there was her special love, second soprano was her forte. Her wisdom will be missed by all of us.

God love you, dear Pat, sister and comforter. Keep us in your prayers!!