Patricia McGettigan

September 2, 1965 - February 16, 2019

Patti McGettigan was 53. Is that a name, or what? If you were to name a storm Patti McGettigan, you’d not need to tell people to stay inside. And that would make Patti particularly pleased considering she launched many a meteorologists TV career — meteorologists and many more. Household names from coast to coast. Patti McGettigan was a newswoman; a newsnado, metaphorically; one of the best, actually. For years, cancer picked the wrong sassy Irish lass to joust with — you’ve never seen a 5’11” minivan mom own a big bald head like Patti McGettigan. And then, after so many seemingly mythical rebounds, her body couldn’t do what her spirit willed. Born September 2, 1965 in Detroit, MI. she once said in a Facebook quiz that her special talent was “telling other people what to do.” Truth. When TV news was king in the 90s/00s, Patti lead Michigan’s most dominant news outlet — the vaunted WOOD TV. The last place she made #1 is where it ended — Memphis, TN. Buoyed by her sister Maude, daughter Mollie Colleen, 20, and son William, 18. The sun was setting and her flock, as if commanded by nature, flew in from all corners in a pall of pain and amazement at Patti’s peace. She was preceeded in death by her mother Alice, father John and brother Bill. She's also survived by sister Karen, sister-in-law Kathy, treasured niece Allie and nephews Michael, Brendan, Sean and Brian. In a final call to her, Patti couldn’t speak. I told daughter Mollie Colleen: “Tell your mother I love her.” “She’s blowing you kisses.” Patti McGettigan now rests on a cloud of blown kisses, as the pipes have called her home. Brad Edwards ** ** ** More: ‪ https://www.woodtv.com/news/former-wood-tv-news-director-industry-leader-dies-of-cancer/1788755758 Maude