Patty Anne (Elzinga) Buffum

Patricia “Patty” Anne Buffum, age 54 of Fruitport, MI passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Patty was born January 12, 1961 to Ronald and Helen (Butler) Elzinga in Van Nuys, CA. She married Mark Buffum on August 9, 1986 in Suttons Bay, MI. Patty worked for AAA for 24 years. She was an avid seamstress enjoying sewing and quilting, sharing her talent with her son, a niece, and other family and friends giving many of her projects as gifts. Patty enjoyed camping, traveling to the Upper Peninsula and going to MIS NASCAR races. She enjoyed Girl Scout cookies and trips to the casino. Patty also liked taking classes to further her education. Family was very important to Patty and she spent as much time as possible with us. She will always be remembered as intelligent, strong and very giving of herself with a great sense of humor and always had a smile to share. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Mark; daughter, Sarah Elzinga of Charleston, SC; son, Robert Buffum of Fruitport; mother-in-law, Barbara Buffum of Suttons Bay; step-mother, Carole (Gordon) Elzinga; she will be deeply missed by her sisters, Margaret Baccus of Dothan, AL, Cathleen Charest of West Palm Beach, FL, Dolores (Erik) Eliassen of Luther, OK, Julie Messina of Lake Orion, MI, Sally (Thomas) Charest of Kingsley, MI; brother, Ron (Doreen) Elzinga of Traverse City. Patty also had many nieces and nephews and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, oldest brother, Thomas Charest and her beloved beagle, Trixie. The memorial service for Patty will be at 11:00 am on Friday, November 13, 2015 at Hope Reformed Church with Pastor Tim Taylor officiating. Interment will be in Buckley, MI. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 6 – 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at church. Memorial contribution may be given in Patty’s name to Mercy Health Johnson Family Cancer Center in Muskegon, MI. Please visit www.klaassenfuneralhome.com to sign Patty’s online guestbook.