Patricia Orvis

Madison - Pat Orvis, age 78, died peacefully on March 2, 2016, surrounded by family at Oakwood Village in Madison.

Pat was born December 5, 1937, in Madison, the daughter of Margaret (Diebold) Faber and Michael Faber. As a girl, she loved dancing, especially ballet and tap. After graduating from Edgewood High School, Pat spent nearly all her life in Wisconsin, primarily in Madison. She raised three boys, Tom, John, and Scott, who carry on her love for family and children.

After working as the coordinator for Meals on Wheels with the United Way, Pat worked for several years as an administrative assistant at Oakwood Village where she later became a resident. One of her favorite activities there was a Saturday art program where she joined her grandchildren to create crafts and decorations throughout the year. Pat also took classes in weaving and pottery and enjoyed knitting and making her own beaded jewelry. She loved puzzles, watching the Weather Channel, and playing family card games during holiday get-togethers.

Pat was an active member of the St. Maria Goretti Parish and the Women’s Auxiliary. She also volunteered at the Oakwood Pharmacy and the Ice Cream Shop. She was a familiar face throughout the halls of the Oakwood campus and will be greatly missed by residents and staff. Pat enjoyed spending time with her high school friends for luncheons and coordinating reunions. Her greatest love was spending time with her grandchildren, and her caring presence greatly influenced their lives.

Pat is preceded in death by her husband Richard Orvis and siblings Olive (Warren) Roberts, Helen (Gerry) Grainger, Paul (Freda) Faber, and Beatrice (Bob) Lang. She is survived by her three sons, Tom (Lori) Esser, John (Annie) Esser, and Scott (Laura) Simmerman; her six grandchildren, Brittany and Nicole Esser, Carolina Esser, and Logan, Brooke, and Jana Simmerman; and her brother, Bob (Laura) Faber.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 5313 Flad Avenue, Madison, with Monsignor Michael Burke presiding. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

The family extends a special thank-you to the staff at Oakwood for their years of service and also UW Health Nurse Practitioner Pat Lohr for her compassionate care for Pat in her final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, StJude.org, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38101, or to the Oakwood Foundation, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705.