Marjorie Patricia Milligan

Marjorie Patricia "Pat" Milligan, age 89, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, passed away Monday morning, July 20, 2015 at War Memorial Hospital's Long Term Care Unit. A lifelong resident of Sault Ste. Marie, She was born to Edward L and Marjorie Mattson on October 10, 1925 in the Sault. Patricia's father, the Late Edward L Mattson, was a true "pioneer pilot" and thought by many as the "father of flight" in the Sault. He won his wings in 1928 and owned and operated "Mattson Flying Services" of which he owned five planes; such as the Waco 10, the Robin, the Aronca and the Swallow. He gave flying lesson to many, including his best friend, the late Howard Bernier, who later became a ranking senior captain with United Airlines and the first to fly the Boeing 747: making national news. Ed lived long enough to witness, in awe, Apollo 11 landing on the moon and Neil Armstrong's "great step for mankind". How far had aviation come! Patricia and her sister Shirley (Patton) Mancuso, enjoyed many wonderful and exciting plane rides with their father in the double open cockpit planes. Being a self-proclaimed "Daredevil", Patricia enjoyed telling of once flying a plane upside-down over the St. Mary's river, scaring her (then) boyfriend "Half-to-death"! Patricia loved to swim and was a preforming "Aqua Cadet", doing shows when in high school. She was also the only drum majorette leading the Sault High band, showing her great twirling skills and graceful marching presence in the beautiful parades of the time. Being a figure skater in her youth, Patricia had the opportunity to skate with Olympic figure skater and actress Sonja Henie. Always athletic, Patricia swam twice across the St. Mary's river at it's widest point, first in her 30's and the second time in her 50's both times with the well-known "Timber Tony" rowing beside her, along with her husband "Woody". Later in life, she became an avid and devoted marathoner, winning many medals and trophies. She went on to become a triathlete, traveling all over the U.S. to compete; again winning many trophies and medals. Her best win was "National Champion Triathlete" in 1986 at the age of 61. She took 3rd place the year before. Patricia liked to recall her acquaintance with Lance Armstrong, whom she got to know at the races they both competed in. She would always add, "that was before he became famous". She also enjoyed skiing, but gave that up because she didn't want to risk injury, then being unable to compete in triathlons. Patricia once even rode her bike to Detroit leaving a week ahead, (Woody following in the car) to compete in a triathlon. She previously rode her bike to St Ignace to camp in a tent for a few days, calling it "a little adventure". Patricia accomplished many things in life, including a college education, after her children were raised and being accepted into the medical technologist program in Benton Harbor. She decided that just being accepted was another goal reached, and chose to pursue other things instead, like competing in marathons and triathlons. She was a telephone operator with Michigan Bell for over 30 years, retiring in 1980. Patricia was a wonderful cook and homemaker and still found time for all of that, along with her demanding training for triathlons, with biking, running, and swimming, and earlier training for marathons. She was preceded in death by her parents, first born son: Richard (LaLonde) Mattson; her first husband: Richard B. LaLonde; her beloved second husband of 46 years: Woodrow "Woody" Milligan; and her sister: Shirley (Patton) Mancuso. She is survived by four of her children: Nancy (Charlie) Crockett of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Terry (Raelene) LaLonde of Au Train, Jeffery Milligan, and Kevin Milligan; and a daughter-in-law: Sheila (Richard) Mattson, all of the Sault, five grandchildren; Edward L. Caster, Robert J. Caster (Sault), Michael Mattson of Los Angeles, Mark Mattson (Sault ) and Melanie (Darryl) Jerred of Methoplex; and 4 great grandchildren: Derek Caster, Micheala Caster; Autumn Caster and Ivy Caster all of the Sault. Patricia will be buried in Pine Grove Cemetery next to her beloved husband Woody. There will be no public funeral services, per her request.

Tributes

Marjorie Patricia Milligan

October 10, 1925 - July 20, 2015