Obituaries

Patricia Ann Thomas

Patricia Ann Thomas of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Ann Arbor, and Whitmore Lake, age 81, passed away Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born December 21, 1944, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the daughter of William Edwin and Adeline Marie (Shanahan) Rowan, Jr.

Patricia graduated from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, class of 1963. She attended both the Faith Baptist Church in Chelsea, and Dexter Gospel Church. She worked in Food Service at the University of Michigan. Patricia had a lifelong love of singing and Patsy Cline. Her karaoke friends and family fondly called her “Patsy.” Patricia was a spark of sunshine, always with a big smile that lit up a room. She was a people person and cared deeply for others, putting them before herself.

Naomi Ruth Hasselbach

Naomi Ruth Hasselbach
Manchester, Michigan

Naomi, age 81, passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Chelsea Hospital. Daughter of Cecil and Gladys Clouse, Naomi was born July 27, 1944, in Monroe, Michigan.

Naomi, known to those closest to her as “Oma”, devoted her life to caring for those she loved, always putting the needs of her family and friends before her own. Her home was a place of comfort, where everyone was welcomed with love, a warm meal, and a kind heart. She found joy in tending her garden, trying new recipes in the kitchen, and creating lasting memories around the table. The holidays were especially dear to her, and she never missed an opportunity to celebrate, bringing family together with traditions, laughter, and love. Her generosity, selflessness, and unwavering devotion to the people she cherished will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Norman Lee Somers

Norman “Norm” Somers, age 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC). He was born on August 13, 1938, in Elk Rapids, Michigan, to Richard Ivan and Doris Ellen (Davis) Somers.

To know Norm was to know someone who found joy in the simple things, never met a stranger, and always had another story to tell. He believed life was meant to be lived with gratitude, laughter, and kindness. One of his favorite sayings summed him up perfectly: “Sadness is not part of my dictionary—joy and happiness are.” Those words weren’t just something he said—they were the way he lived.

Norm graduated from Northville High School in 1956 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Ferris Institute in 1961. But before settling into his lifelong career, he chased a dream. In the spring of 1957, he signed on as a Great Lakes Seaman, working aboard iron ore freighters, including the J.P. Morgan Jr. The Lakes gave him adventures and stories that he shared as a Snipit in life.

Lucinda Anne “Cindy” Zimmerman

Lucinda Anne “Cindy” Zimmerman, who warmly supported aging elders in her community for years, died June 27, 2026. She was 88.

Cindy was a model for the importance of people in our world who simply help, those who step up for jobs lacking in glamour, but that improve and enrich lives. She nearly wore her hands out writing hundreds of personal thank-you notes to those who donated to the Jackson Friendly Home, a non-profit residence for elderly women at which her mother had lived. After her mother died, Cindy continued her dedicated support. She served on the home’s board and took delight in taking “the ladies” on outings and facilitating sing-alongs.

She spent years singing in Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church choir and weekly assembled and printed the church bulletin. A trained and experienced secretary, she had a sharp eye for typos and failings of grammar. Her three children benefited from her talents, even as we grumbled to forever be directed to the dictionary when we couldn’t spell a word or endured constant correction when we mangled proper English.