Patricia Lyons Roder's Obituary
Patricia Lyons Roder, age 88, passed at her home surrounded by her family on Saturday, December 20, 2025 in Montague. She was born in Philadelphia, PA to James and Dorothy (Doyle) Lyons and educated at Eden Hall in Torresdale, PA by the nuns of the Society of the Sacred Heart. She graduated from the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania with an accounting degree at a time when she was one of the only women in her business classes. On July 26, 1961 she married Peter S. Roder, and they were together for almost 62 years before Pete preceded her in death on June 4, 2023. Pat and Pete moved to the White Lake area following Captain Roder’s retirement from the United States Navy and were longtime members of St. James Catholic Church in Montague.
Pat cherished time with her loving family. A generous and devoted wife and mother, she proudly supported her husband’s Naval career, which took their family around the world, with duty stations in Yokosuka, Japan and Exmouth, Australia to name only a few. She enjoyed volunteering for Navy Relief. Along the way, Pat taught English to businessmen while living in Japan and survived having 5 teenagers at one time! She enjoyed following the stock market, traveling, watching baseball, and hosting both impromptu and organized family reunions during summers at their house on White Lake.
Survivors include her five children, Patricia Roder, Peter Stevan (Debra) Roder Jr, Susan Lyons Roder, William Joseph Roder and Barbara (Chris) Roder Byron; six grandchildren: Belinda Turran, Brittany Lane, Andy Roder, Christopher Byron, Mary Byron, and John Byron II; four great grandchildren: Kennedy Grace, Easton Robert, Mason James, and Isla Lyons; and brother, James Lyons; and many nieces and nephews and other extended relatives.
A funeral mass and celebration of Pat’s life will be celebrated this summer and announced at a later time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (http://nmcrs.org). The family would love for you to share memories online at https://www.SytsemaFH.com.
Arrangements by The Whitehall Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 816 S. Mears Rd. Whitehall, MI 49461
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