O. Patricia "Pat" Mader

Ocal Patricia (Pat) Mader, 74-years-young, of Lancaster, peacefully passed over to our Lord in Heaven on Friday, September 25, 2015, at Arbors at Carroll (formerly, Rockmill Rehabilitation Centre), with her daughter alongside her lovingly holding her hands. After courageously battling long-term Alzheimer’s, she has been rewarded with wholeness once again.

Pat was born on May 16, 1941, in Lancaster, Ohio, in the home of her maternal grandmother, Ethel Hiestand. She was the oldest of four children—three girls and a boy—sisters, Kathy and Robin; and brother, Bill. She was given the nickname, “Peppermint Patty.” She graduated from Lancaster High School in 1959, and lived in several locations of the country throughout her life; such as, Kansas City, MO; Decatur, IL; Norfolk, VA; San Diego, CA; Beaufort, GA, Melbourne, FL; and Edgewood, MD. Pat held a variety of jobs throughout her life, reflecting her strength, aptitude, determination, flexibility and ability to adapt to diversity. Her jobs included working many years at Anchor Hocking Glass Corp, Diamond Power/Mirror Insulation; GlassFloss; as well as, child care. She was a member of Sixth Avenue United Methodist Church. Pat was foremost a loving and caring mother, daughter, sister, aunt and grandmother. After her children were grown, Pat relocated from Lancaster to Melbourne, Florida, where she shared many fond memories of her life and passion of spending time at the beach walking along the surf, and searching for treasured Conch shells, starfish, sand dollars, and sea glass. Pat faithfully cared for family and friends through delicious cooking/baking from scratch, and canning. She was artistically-inclined, enjoying drawing, coloring, sewing, upholstering with her mother, and crafting. She also loved listening to, singing and dancing to country music and oldies. She enjoyed watching and keeping up with NASCAR, stemming from growing up around her father’s stock car building and racing. She enjoyed many vacation trips with her daughter’s family to Cape Canaveral, Washington D.C., Disney World several times, and Sanibel/Captiva Islands. The majority of her life, she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many; however, she had a spunky and cantankerous side as well. Pat was known for her gift of talking, and her ease in frequent and lengthy conversations with even total strangers and neighbors.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Shelley Surratt (Rick) Bates of Lancaster; sons, Sean Poling of Pennsylvania, and Dennis Poling of Florida-- “We’ll love you forever, we’ll like you for always, as long as we’re living, our mother you’ll be” -- sister, Robin (John) Brown; sister-in-law, Judi Wallace; grandchildren, McKenzie and Skyler Bates, and Jenni Poling (Chris) Jones of Texas; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Pearl Wallace; sister, Kathy Wagner; brother, Bill Wallace; grandson, Adam Poling; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 3:30PM at the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, Lancaster with Chaplain Kermit Welty officiating. Friends and family may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 1:30PM until the time of service. Caring Cremation ™ has taken place, with Pat’s earthly remains to be sprinkled at various special locations of request, at a later date.

As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to one of the following organizations: Alzheimer’s Association-Central Ohio Chapter, 3380 Tremont Road, Columbus, OH 43221, or Fairhope Hospice, 282 Sells Rd. Lancaster, in Pat’s memory.

The family is deeply grateful for the wonderful Arbors at Carroll team, Fairhope Hospice, family, and friends through the outpouring of love, prayers and support in many heartfelt forms; as well as, random acts of kindness through total “strangers”.

Calling Hours

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM ,Thursday, October 1, 2015
Frank E. Smith Funeral Home Chapel
405 N. Columbus St. Lancaster, Ohio 43130

Funeral Service

3:30 PM ,Thursday, October 1, 2015
Frank E. Smith Funeral Home Chapel
405 N. Columbus St. Lancaster, Ohio 43130