Patricia Sanborn, 85, of Onsted, passed away January 10, 2026 under the care of Hospice. Pat was born at home in Fairfield, Michigan to Virgia Lois (Hough) and Floyd Nelson Hall on February 19, 1940. Pat grew up in Fairfield and graduated from Sand Creek High School in 1957. She dated a neighbor boy that she later married. Douglas Sanborn and Patricia Hall were married on October 5, 1957 at Fairfield Baptist Church. Pat began her career as a title examiner with Moore Abstract in Adrian when she was 17. She also worked for Lawyer’s Title and Metropolitan Title before retiring in 1998 to take care of her aunt. She was great at her job and had coworkers come to her with questions that she could answer from memory.
Doug and Pat moved to Onsted in 1965 to realize the dream of owning a farm. They began with a couple ponies and chickens before buying their first Guernsey cow, Guern. Milking was by hand and put in milk cans until stanchions were installed in their little barn. They milked cows for many years, raised sheep and crops. Over the years, Peb-L-Brook Farm had some award-winning Guernsey’s. They also had Holsteins and Jerseys before they stopped milking. Many years were spent showing cows at local fairs as well as the Michigan State Fair.
Pat’s love for helping others was a reason her and Doug became a foster home in 1971. Before they stopped, their home had fostered over 400 kids. Many of them still called her “Mom”. Pat and Doug attended Gateway Community Church in Onsted where they were members. Pat had a strong faith even after she began her journey with dementia. She would encourage others to trust God for guidance and wanted them to know about Jesus, her savior.
Pat is survived by her children: Kurt (Michelle) Sanborn, Jill (Brian) Merriman, Victoria Sanborn, Kyle (Sheila) Sanborn, and Nathanial (Hannah Whiteye) Sanborn. In addition, she is survived by their special kids. Steve (Patti) Hood, Robin (Rachel) Hood, Patricia Hall, and Rorey Smith and by 13 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Surviving Pat is also her brother, Richard (Barbara) Hall, and sister, Diane Goodyear. She was preceded in death by her husband, Doug, son, Ricky Sanborn, granddaughter, Zoolaka Pugh, great granddaughter, Amelia Brackmann, parents, and sisters Janet Lou and Merrill Louise.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 14, from 4:00 to 7:00pm At Wagley Funeral home in Adrian. Funeral service will be Thursday, January 15, at 2:00pm with visitation beginning at 1:00pm at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian with Pastors Craig and Tom McMichael officiating. Burial will follow at Fairfield Cemetery.
Pat’s family would like to thank: the staff of Senior Moments Assisted Living Home for the wonderful care they gave Mom for the three years she was there; Robyn her Hospice nurse, who showed Mom love, compassion, and could always make Mom laugh or smile; and Shelby, the music therapist, who brought joy to Mom whenever she played. Memorial contributions can be made to Gateway Community Church or Hospice.
Doug and Pat moved to Onsted in 1965 to realize the dream of owning a farm. They began with a couple ponies and chickens before buying their first Guernsey cow, Guern. Milking was by hand and put in milk cans until stanchions were installed in their little barn. They milked cows for many years, raised sheep and crops. Over the years, Peb-L-Brook Farm had some award-winning Guernsey’s. They also had Holsteins and Jerseys before they stopped milking. Many years were spent showing cows at local fairs as well as the Michigan State Fair.
Pat’s love for helping others was a reason her and Doug became a foster home in 1971. Before they stopped, their home had fostered over 400 kids. Many of them still called her “Mom”. Pat and Doug attended Gateway Community Church in Onsted where they were members. Pat had a strong faith even after she began her journey with dementia. She would encourage others to trust God for guidance and wanted them to know about Jesus, her savior.
Pat is survived by her children: Kurt (Michelle) Sanborn, Jill (Brian) Merriman, Victoria Sanborn, Kyle (Sheila) Sanborn, and Nathanial (Hannah Whiteye) Sanborn. In addition, she is survived by their special kids. Steve (Patti) Hood, Robin (Rachel) Hood, Patricia Hall, and Rorey Smith and by 13 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Surviving Pat is also her brother, Richard (Barbara) Hall, and sister, Diane Goodyear. She was preceded in death by her husband, Doug, son, Ricky Sanborn, granddaughter, Zoolaka Pugh, great granddaughter, Amelia Brackmann, parents, and sisters Janet Lou and Merrill Louise.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 14, from 4:00 to 7:00pm At Wagley Funeral home in Adrian. Funeral service will be Thursday, January 15, at 2:00pm with visitation beginning at 1:00pm at Wagley Funeral Home in Adrian with Pastors Craig and Tom McMichael officiating. Burial will follow at Fairfield Cemetery.
Pat’s family would like to thank: the staff of Senior Moments Assisted Living Home for the wonderful care they gave Mom for the three years she was there; Robyn her Hospice nurse, who showed Mom love, compassion, and could always make Mom laugh or smile; and Shelby, the music therapist, who brought joy to Mom whenever she played. Memorial contributions can be made to Gateway Community Church or Hospice.
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