Patrice “Patti” Norman
August 31st, 1930 - August 27th, 2022
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Patti's Obituary
Our beloved mother, Patrice Rariden Sizer Norman left this world August 27,2022 at the age of 91. She had a long and interesting life, filled with an abundance of love and friendships. She is survived by her children Tracey & Timothy (Amy) and five grandchildren: Erin, Katie, Parker, Ronan, and Zoe. Her family will gather to celebrate her life and legacy at a future date.
Born August 31, 1930, Patrice (Patti) was the only daughter of Nedalyn Winfield and Lake E. Rariden, growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At the early age of five, Patti began piano lessons which inspired a life rich in the creative arts. Piano performing started early, too, with her playing at grade school, high school, and church events. During WWII, she even entertained military personnel with boogie woogies and ragtimes at her local USO.
Patti attended Stephens College where she was invited to study with the piano artist-in-residence. Graduating from Northwestern University with a B. S. in Communications, she moved to San Francisco for a short while and worked as a script editor for KCBS radio. She returned to Fort Wayne and worked as an advertising creator for the local department store Wolf and Dessauer.
In 1956, Patti married Stephen R. Sizer with whom she had her two children. Her first priority was always her family. Patti was a “one in a zillion” mom to Tracey & Tim. She was also always active in her Twin Cities Michigan community where she served on the boards of Monday Musical and the Twin Cities Symphony. During this time, she continued her piano studies and became well-known locally for concert performances of music written for two pianos. She was instrumental in founding The Cathedral School of the Arts at the First Congregational Church of Benton Harbor, providing access to music education for local youth.
Patrice used her many creative talents when she returned later in life to a career which spanned seventeen years. Her work always involved marketing & public relations for such places as the First Congregational Church of Benton Harbor; St. Joseph Today; The Downtown Development Authority of Jacksonville Florida; and the Children’s Home Society of Florida.
In 1995, Patti married Rayford M. Norman. They enjoyed sixteen happy years together in Atlantic Beach, Florida before Rayford’s death in 2010. Patti returned to Indiana in 2012 to be closer to her children & their families. She dearly loved her grandkids whom she called her “munchkins” and they loved her, their “Grandma Goose.”
Patrice will be interred with Rayford in the columbarium at Palms Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Should her friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to Palms Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida (palmschurch.org) or to Dunes Hospice, Valparaiso, Indiana (duneshospicellc.com).
Born August 31, 1930, Patrice (Patti) was the only daughter of Nedalyn Winfield and Lake E. Rariden, growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At the early age of five, Patti began piano lessons which inspired a life rich in the creative arts. Piano performing started early, too, with her playing at grade school, high school, and church events. During WWII, she even entertained military personnel with boogie woogies and ragtimes at her local USO.
Patti attended Stephens College where she was invited to study with the piano artist-in-residence. Graduating from Northwestern University with a B. S. in Communications, she moved to San Francisco for a short while and worked as a script editor for KCBS radio. She returned to Fort Wayne and worked as an advertising creator for the local department store Wolf and Dessauer.
In 1956, Patti married Stephen R. Sizer with whom she had her two children. Her first priority was always her family. Patti was a “one in a zillion” mom to Tracey & Tim. She was also always active in her Twin Cities Michigan community where she served on the boards of Monday Musical and the Twin Cities Symphony. During this time, she continued her piano studies and became well-known locally for concert performances of music written for two pianos. She was instrumental in founding The Cathedral School of the Arts at the First Congregational Church of Benton Harbor, providing access to music education for local youth.
Patrice used her many creative talents when she returned later in life to a career which spanned seventeen years. Her work always involved marketing & public relations for such places as the First Congregational Church of Benton Harbor; St. Joseph Today; The Downtown Development Authority of Jacksonville Florida; and the Children’s Home Society of Florida.
In 1995, Patti married Rayford M. Norman. They enjoyed sixteen happy years together in Atlantic Beach, Florida before Rayford’s death in 2010. Patti returned to Indiana in 2012 to be closer to her children & their families. She dearly loved her grandkids whom she called her “munchkins” and they loved her, their “Grandma Goose.”
Patrice will be interred with Rayford in the columbarium at Palms Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Should her friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to Palms Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida (palmschurch.org) or to Dunes Hospice, Valparaiso, Indiana (duneshospicellc.com).
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