Patricia Anne Mervak

Patricia Anne Brady was born in Lackawanna, New York, just outside of Buffalo, and became the middle of 5 children of John W. “Jack” Brady, and Marie W. Hart Brady. She loved her family deeply, and became a “second mother” to her two little brothers. When she was 9, her family moved to Royal Oak, Michigan and became beloved members of Shrine of the Little Flower Parish. She never gave up her deep love, loyalty, and devotion to her parents’ Irish (with a hint of German) families in Buffalo, and visited there at least once a year until a few years before her untimely death. Pat attended Shrine Grade School and High School, and graduated from the University of Detroit with a degree in psychology and social work. Blessed with a beautiful alto voice, she preferred singing in the U-D Chorus to studies, though she did well in the latter. While rehearsing with Duke Ellington and his band for a U-D “Town and Gown” performance, “the Duke” asked her to try out for his chorus, but she declined in favor of pursuing a life with her husband, Tom. He, a psychology major, met her in a statistics class, which she abhorred. He helped her pass. It was love at first sight for him, said he to her, and she reported “knowing he was the one” after their first date. She was kind enough to inform him of the latter fact shortly before their 55th and final anniversary in January, 2025. Yes, she did have a bit of Irish orneriness in her. They married in 1970, moved to Massachusetts in 1972 during his graduate education, and resettled in Royal Oak, near the Shrine, in 1981. From 1970 on, they built a family with 6 children and 8 grandchildren, whom they loved with fierce devotion. In Massachusetts, Pat supported Tom’s slim graduate and psychology internship income by providing day care to a Boston University professor. Her deep love for children blossomed into a day care career, with over 50 children in two states who loved her as a second mother and played with her own children. Some of her charges remain friends of the family to this day. Never content with providing enough financial support to her family, and training her children in the importance of thrift, she clipped every coupon in sight; and her sons Dan and Bob remind us of the many times they were all urged (forced?) to pick up every deposit can or bottle lying on the street, and to save, roll and bank every coin they could hold. She was proud of the 6 children establishing the Royal Oak Tribune family record for continuous carrier service. Weekly, she assisted them with collecting. To her death, she contributed to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and to Mother and Unborn Baby Care, where she had worked as a volunteer. Pat and Tom always loved to travel around America with their family, and then, as “retired” parents, took many European, Mediterranean and Alaskan Cruises. Her most memorable travel experience was during a Shrine Parish Choir singing tour of Italy. The choir was invited to circle Pope John Paul II at a papal audience, and she was asked to place her hand upon his shoulder. Pat died suddenly and quickly on the evening of April 30, 2025. Within the family, she was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Marie Brady, brother-in-law David Welage (Marte Bewick), and sister-in-law Cathy Brady (Bob). She is survived by her husband Tom; children Matthew Mervak (Jennifer), Daniel Mervak (Amy), Robert Mervak (Isabel), David Mervak (Jamie), Elizabeth Mervak-Smith, and Ellen Mervak (Dallas Holsbeke); also by her grandchildren Jeremy, Charlie, and Sam Mervak, Clara and Abel Mervak, Ada and Pierce Mervak, and Maverick Holsbeke. She will also be greatly missed by her sister and brothers Marte Brady (Tom) Bewick, John (Susan) Brady, Bob Brady, and Richard Brady; and by countless friends, among them members of the Detroit Oakland Serra Club, supporting priestly and religious vocations. Memorial visitation for Pat will be held on Tuesday, May 13, from 3 - 8 p.m. (Rosary at 6:30 p.m.) at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, 705 W. Eleven Mile Rd. (four blocks east of Woodward), Royal Oak. The Funeral Mass for Pat will be held the following day, Wednesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. (9:30 visitation) at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, 2100 Twelve Mile Rd., Royal Oak. Memorial contributions in memory of Pat can be directed to Mother & Unborn Baby Care: www.maubc.org.

Patricia Anne Mervak

March 12, 1947 - April 30, 2025