Lois Patterson Sligh, daughter of Carleton and Marion Patterson, born in Pontiac, and raised in Birmingham, Michigan, died peacefully at Freedom Village in Holland, Michigan on September 23, 2021.
Lois attended Colby Junior College in New Hampshire, graduating with an associate’s degree in 1949. She went on to complete her education at the University of Michigan where she graduated in 1951 with a BA degree in English.
While attending U of M she met Robert (Bob) Sligh on a blind date and went on to marry him on October 26, 1951.
The couple lived in Grand Rapids for a time. While Bob served as an officer in the US Air Force, they lived in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Syracuse, NY.
After moving to Holland, Lois stayed busy raising three children and volunteering for Holland Junior Welfare League and the Margaret Hummer (Holland Hospital) Guild where she volunteered for more than 40 years.
During those years she enjoyed sailing, golfing, snow skiing, bowling, knitting, sewing and was highly skilled in the art needlepoint, making beautiful gifts for friends and family.
Lois was very active at the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club. Weekends would find Bob and Lois racing sailboats. During the week Lois was active crewing for Caddie Bradford in the MBYC Lady’s Races, where they were fleet champions. Lois also introduced an annual fashion show at the Club featuring clothes from local merchants.
For many years Lois was the front desk receptionist for the Sligh Furniture Company showroom at the High Point North Carolina home furnishings markets held in April and October each year.
During the years 1984 through 1989 Bob and Lois enjoyed cruising the Great Lakes on their sailboat Windtune during the summer months.
Upon Bob’s retirement, they wintered in Vero Beach, Florida where they enjoyed their many friends as well as boating, golfing, and attending local cultural events. They spent time each year traveling in the US and abroad.
In her later years, Lois enjoyed spending time eating out with dear friends at the Yacht Club at a special table reserved for every Friday night.
In addition to her parents and husband, Lois was preceded in death by her only brother Carleton (Pat) Patterson. She is survived by her three children, Rob Sligh (Jorie) of Grand Rapids, MI, Barb Donati (Bill) of Louisburg, NC, and John Sligh (Liz) of Minnetonka, MN, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holland Hospice. There will be a memorial celebration at the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club on a date to be announced.
