It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of our beloved mother, Patricia Falkenstern, age 65, of Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was tragically taken from us, and the world, too soon.

Patricia grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her mother, Jean Oudshoorn; her sister, Sandy Oudshoorn; and her brother, David Oudshoorn. She attended Kendall College of Art and Design, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. As a young adult, Patricia moved to Manhattan, where she worked for East West Books, acted, and created art. In 1987, she moved back to Grand Rapids to start a family.

She is survived by her two daughters, Illiana Falkenstern and Madeline Falkenstern.

In her later years, Patricia moved with her eldest daughter to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she worked as a shift manager at Blank Slate Creamery.

Patricia was a brilliant person, creative, and quirky. She never met an animal that didn't like her and was an avid equestrian. Her empathetic nature led her to take in all kinds of stray creatures and humans who benefited from her love and care. Patricia was a devoted mother, who championed the causes her daughters were passionate about and put her heart and soul into every school project. She often sacrificed her own needs for those of others.

Patricia's family will honor her life privately, as she would have preferred.

We will love her and miss her always.