Patricia Ann Carlson, 86 years old, resident of Westland, Michigan, passed peacefully from this life on October 21, 2026.

Pat was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 1, 1940 to Stanley and Eunice (nee Garrett) Good. She spent some time as a little girl in Kentucky with relatives and attended school in Livonia, Michigan as well as Vista Maria in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

Married to David Henry Carlson, Sr on June 29, 1957, they raised four sons together. They were married for 35 years, living briefly in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area before settling in their family home in Garden City, Michigan.

Pat was a gifted cook, baker, seamstress, canner, and creative painter. She could knit and crochet just about anything! Family and friends were showered with Pat’s homemade/handcrafted gifts. Especially her beautiful quilts, afghans, cozy socks, knit caps and pajamas. She would bake a dozen loaves of bread each week from scratch for her four growing sons. There wasn’t a holiday dinner complete without her famous dinner rolls and the coveted cinnamon rolls she would make with any leftover dough. And plenty of homemade jam to spread on any bread she made. Her leftover potato salad would wake you up in the middle of the night just to have another bite. The pies- flakiest crust around!

Not only was Pat always busy at home, but she also was an active member of St. Mel Catholic Parish and School. She made many lasting friends there and was a regular lunch lady every Thursday for Hot Dog Day while her sons attended grade school. Pat also worked and ran commercial kitchens at the J.L. Hudsons Restaurant in Westland (yes, she made the most amazing Maurice Salad) and the Aramark cafeteria kitchen at Henry Ford Community College Dearborn Heights Campus. She also served as the personal cook for Florine Mark, Founder of Weight Watchers!

But to Pat, nothing compared to spending time with her family. As the family grew, so did the love and joy she found in each and every member. Thankfully, with four boys, she had a great sense of humor and capacity for sarcasm and pranks. And, oh boy, did Pat LOVE her Detroit Tigers! Keeping score sheets of every play whether she was watching a game on TV, listening on the radio or attending a game in person. Pat was a doting fan of Elvis Presley and would tell you of seeing him live in concert with a gleam in her eyes. Her capacity to love stretched to many treasured dogs, cats and even ducks over her many years.

Pat is survived by her sons David Jr, Mark (Janet), Joe (Mary Beth) and Chris (Larena). Additionally, her grandchildren Nicole (Kyle), Alle (Bill), David III (Chelsea), Brooke, Lidia, Cole, and the late Layla Marie. She had been blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Henrik, Claire, Zane, Charlotte, Genevieve, Juliette, and Eloise. Pat will be missed by many extended family and friends. The memories of love and laughter will live on in the hearts of all of us who knew and loved her. May she rest peacefully in the eternal grace of Jesus. 

Visitation, Monday 10am until the 2pm Funeral Service at the John N. Santeiu & Son, Inc., 1139 N Inkster Road, Garden City (between Ford Road and Cherry Hill).

In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.