Obituary of Patricia Ann Munger

Patricia Hughes Munger

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our wonderful, kind and selfless mother, Patricia Ann (Hughes) Munger. Our hearts are comforted in the certainty that she is now with God in Paradise. She departed this world on November 23, 2025 after a brief illness, surrounded by our love until her last breath. 

Patricia Ann Hughes was born on June 24,1925 in Bay City, MI, the 7th of 12 children. She graduated from St. James High School in 1943. Patty lived her life with remarkable grace, resilience, and had a gentle spirit that touched everyone she met. Her legacy is not measured in years, but in countless small acts of kindness, smiles, and love she shared with family and friends. Her favorite expressions spoken daily were “be happy”, “God is good”, and “don’t forget to say your prayers”.  

As a young woman, Patty worked for Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator. After meeting Robert Munger, a romance blossomed. They loved dancing together at the “dime dances”. They married in 1948. He was drafted during the Korean War. He chose to serve in the Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California. They lived off base in Oceanside for 2 years in a tiny trailer home near the ocean. Patty often told stories of her time there with much happiness. Upon returning to their hometown of Bay City and being childless, Robert built their first home. It was a one bedroom, one bath tiny home that Patty tended-to with care. Soon there came the need to add a large bedroom to accommodate their 3 children—“3 in 3 1/2 years” she liked to say. As their family grew older, Robert built a new, wonderful home around the block on property gifted to him by his father, Clinton Munger. Patty and Robert spent many years traveling on the road for his job; together-time they both enjoyed.

Patty was the kind of mom who did it all—home cooked meals daily, laundry drying outside in the sunshine, and always time to pitch a baseball, help with homework or to even build a treehouse in the woods. She had a deep faith which she shared with her children. Patty attended St. Hyacinth Church for years with her children. 

Many hours were spent reading novels, recording the title, the date, and after completing it she would write a short critique of the book. This pastime followed her through her lifetime until her failing eyesight no longer allowed her to read. She dearly loved her pet cats. Her love of animals extended to feeding the feral cats and the birds in the neighborhood daily. Another of Patty’s near daily practices was to take long walks and although the distances decreased, she still enjoyed walking through her 100th year of life! Always thinking of others, she loved to keep in touch with family and friends with handwritten notes of encouragement and support. Many trips were taken to visit her children who lived in Colorado, caring for her grand babies, and cooking their favorite meals.

After Robert passed away in 1994, Patty continued to live in the home they built together. She was able to remain in her home until breast cancer took her health and her strength. 

She loved visiting her home until her last days. For a time she made her home with her daughter and son in law. When safety became a concern, she spent her remaining days being cared for by the caring staff at Huron Woods Nursing Center.

Patricia is survived by children, Deborah & Andrew Finn, Michael Munger, Cary & Song Munger; grandchildren, Sarah Finn Coullard, Matthew & Carissa Finn, Laura Finn & Evan Bates, Ryan & Meagan Woodward, Anna Cornett;  great-grandchildren, Westly Finn, Elias Finn, Grace Coullard, Ava Woodward, Soren Woodward, and very special niece, Roberta Haertel. 

Patricia was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Robert Munger; parents, George and Marian Hughes; all of her siblings, George (Elaine) Hughes, Robert (Mary Lois) Hughes, Marion (Robert) Haertel, Thomas (Delores) Hughes, Richard (Mary Jean) Hughes, Elizabeth (Glenn) Baker, Jean (William) Sutliff, Paula (Paul Miller), William Hughes, Monica Inman, many nieces and nephews and special friends. 

A Memorial Service will be held with Rev. Nicholas F. Coffaro at 1:30 pm on Wednesday December 3, 2025 at Hyatt-Ewald Funeral Home, 700 N. Monroe St, Bay City, MI 48708. The family will receive guests from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm on December 3, 2025 at Hyatt Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Bay County Animal Shelter, or the charity of your choice.  To sign the online guestbook, visit www.hyattewald.com.