Gloria “Pat” Groomes

Gloria “Pat” Groomes of Whitmore Lake went home to our Lord very peacefully on Saturday, August 16, 2025. She was 90 years old. Pat was born in Ann Arbor, MI on March 28, 1935 to her parents, Gerald and Marie Voice. She attended the Ann Arbor School System. Her first job was as a soda jerk at a soda shop at the corners of N. University and S. Thayer on the Michigan Campus. She married the love of her life, Bruce Groomes, in Boston, MA on October 7, 1953. They lived in Whitmore Lake, where they raised their three children.

She worked summers at Groomes Bathing Beach until 1966. In 1969 Pat started working at Huron Valley National Bank (eventually Comerica Bank) in Ann Arbor. She held various jobs over the years and retired as a bank manager from Comerica Bank in 1992. Ironically that branch was located at the exact same location as that soda shop she worked at as a teenager.

Pat was very active with Civitan and through this organization, was blessed to attend Special Olympics in Indianapolis, Reno and Minneapolis. At the Reno Special Olympics, she got to work along side actor, Patrick Swayze. Pat was so excited. Pat also belonged to the Whitmore Lake Rod and Gun Club Ladies Auxiliary and Ann Arbor Kiwanis.

In 1993 Pat and Bruce moved to, as Pat would tell people, Downtown Metropolitan Empire, MI. Among other activities, they bred three litters of Golden Retrievers. She adored all her Goldens, Trooper, Roxie, Bumper, Sophie and Maggie. Pat became quite active with the seniors group in Empire. She absolutely loved living in Up North. In 2023 Pat 1935 ~ 2025

moved into Hampton Manor Assisted Living in Hamburg, MI where she made many friends and assisted with many activities.

Pat was a huge fan of Michigan football, rarely missing a televised game. She was a member of Community Congregational UCC in Pinckney, MI.

Pat is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, Jeff (Nanette) Groomes, her great granddaughter, Alexandria Lee Smith, three sisters, Geraldine (Harry) Bater, Penny (Scott) Ennis, and Wendy (Willis) Risner. She is survived by her daughter, Danette (Ricky) Smith of Howell, son, Kelly (Mary) Groomes of Brighton, grandchildren Kendra (Mosie) Ruderman of Bridgeport, WV, Ryan Smith of Howell, Angela Sinclair of Whitmore Lake, Elizabeth (Joshua) Crowe of Whitmore Lake, and Melody Groomes of Howell, great grandchildren Harmonie and Shelby Ruderman, Lilyan and Addylynn Smith, Wyatt and Winslow Sinclair, Mckenzie Taylor and great, great granddaughter Caitlyn Bunge. She also leaves behind her siblings Terry (Jan) Voice of Florida, Debbie (Brian) Darnell of Hamburg and Michael Phifer of Florida, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 11:00 am, at Community Congregational United Church of Christ, 125 E. Unadilla, Pinckney and officiated by the Rev. Jacoba Koppert. Visitation will be at the church before the service from 9:30-11:00 am. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to Community Congregational UCC in Pinckney or Special Olympics.