Patricia A. McMahon-Eichenlaub

NORTHPORT – Patricia Ann McMahon-Eichenlaub, 76, of Northport, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at home with her loving family at her side.

Pat was born May 27, 1947 in Detroit the daughter of Thomas and Phyliss (Maloney) McMahon. On December 1, 1978 in Grosse Pointe Farms, she married Mark Eichenlaub who survives. Life is a journey. Growing up in Grosse Pointe, MI Pat attended St. Paul High School. Post high school she lived in New York City. After her mother was diagnosed with ALS she returned to Michigan with the intention of going to nursing school. Pat graduated from Highland Park Community College with an Associate degree in Nursing in 1976. While working at Hutzel Hospital in Detroit she met the love of her life, Mark Eichenlaub. They were married in 1978 after courting during the blizzard.

They both worked at The Detroit Medical Center until Pat returned to school at Wayne State University where upon she obtained a Bachelor degree in Business Communications. Upon completion of her degree their first child arrived and Pat joyfully became a full-time mother to Erin. Five years later they welcomed their son Thomas. For four years the family lived in Howell, MI prior to moving to Northport, MI in 1994.

Pat resumed nursing at Munson Medical Center and was quite active in her community. She helped with girl scouts and served on the school board for one term. Recently she was the president of the Northport Women’s Club. Pat was a woman of ideas and loved to host events for her friends. She had the ability to listen and explore other’s lives intensely.

Pat was a woman of faith and was active in St. Gertrude Parish as a lector. While there she helped start St. Gertrude’s food pantry. This became a family project with her children helping out.

It is said that dementia is the long goodbye. Pat’s recent years have seen her gradual decline and finally her demise. Pat would want us to thank her friends Andrea Shaw, Judy Fera and Theresa Cordes for all their help during her decline. Munson Hospice is also dear to our hearts and kindly cared for her until the end.

She leaves us in an extraordinary time with the hope her grandchildren Savannah, Madison and newly arrived Henry will see the world improve and move forward. They were her joy and hope for the future. Pat is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Mark; two children, Erin (Eric) Potes, Thomas (Hannah) Eichenlaub; her siblings, Kathy Dean, Peggy ( John) Coyle, Sheila (Peter) Gormley; her inlaws, Bruce Blanchard, Robert (Becky) Eichenlaub, Jack Eichenlaub, Ellen (Denny) Krease, Janet (Paul) Burke, Mary Beth (Matt) Smith; and her grandchildren, Savannah Potes, Madison Potes and Henry Eichenlaub born Sunday, December 17th. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ann Blanchard and brother-inlaw Hubert Dean.

A celebration of Pat’s life will be announced in the spring.

Memorials may be directed to ALS Foundation at www.als.org and/or Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.