Patricia “Pat” Hobar, longtime resident of Detroit and Northville, passed away Friday, Aug. 16, 2013.  She was born March 12, 1921, in Detroit to John and Mary (Lukas) Hobar. She graduated from All Saints High School, Schoolcraft College and the University of Michigan. She is predeceased by her parents and her sister, Caroline Nemeth.

In her own words, Aunt Pat, as her nieces, nephews, and nearly everyone affectionately called her, lived life large, “reaching for the moon.” She served in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II, interviewing returning soldiers. Following the war, she worked as a copywriter for WKMH radio, which prompted her start as an on-air radio personality, first as “Kay McCoy and her Sunshine Express” and later as “Lovingly Yours, Laura” on WWJ. Her male listeners were entranced by her deep, sultry voice, which was not at all her personality. Girlfriends and wives of those listeners were not as enthusiastic! A self-described “outgoing person,” she was perfect for work in the media and she enjoyed almost 12 years in public relations at the Detroit Free Press. Concurrently, she acted as the English editor of the weekly, the Southwest Journal, working into the early morning hours to “put the paper to bed.” Following her time at the Detroit Free Press, she became the public relations director at Northland Shopping Center. During this period, she brought the Free Press photo show to the center, along with Santa and the Easter Bunny, among many other activities and presentations. Pat succeeded so well that management appointed her Center Manager at a time when most shopping centers were run by men. Each day Pat walked the center to make sure that it was in tiptop shape. Later, she became corporate director of public relations with Dayton Hudson Corporation, now Target. In many of her positions, she had the opportunity to encounter a variety of celebrities; she relished recounting stories of meeting Raymond Burr, dancing with Duke Ellington, and interviewing Rosemary Clooney. Pat loved a good story probably more than most, both as the speaker and as the listener.

Pat was a lifelong learner with an innate curiosity. Upon retirement Pat pursued academic pursuits that were set aside during her youth. She went back to school and earned an associate’s degree from Schoolcraft College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 2009 at the age of 88! Of course, going back to college in this era meant having to learn how to work with a computer — a new challenge she faced as she did all challenges — with a smile and determination.

Pat loved to travel and treasured many trips abroad, including a trip to Paris following her graduation, and multiple trips to Hungary and one to Israel. Especially meaningful were the trips she took with her beloved sister, Caroline, to Hungary, the birthplace of their parents and Caroline. For Aunt Pat that very first trip was exhilarating and eye-opening as she scoured parish records for copies of her mother and father’s baptisms.

A deeply faithful Catholic, Pat was active in the parishes of both St. John Neumann in Canton Township, where she was a lector, and Holy Cross Parish in Detroit. One of her many lifetime highlights was meeting Fr. Solanus at the St. Bonaventure Monastery.

Pat delighted in her extended family and many friends and colleagues. She leaves to cherish her memory her nephew, Joel (Evelyn) Johnson of South Lyon, Mich., and her niece, Nancy (Tony) Jesurun of El Paso, Texas, her many great- and great-great nieces, nephews, and her many godchildren. Aunt Pat also leaves behind the family she acquired following her sister’s marriage to Frank: Fr. Albert Sandor, and Eddie and Renee Sandor.

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