Patricia Giblin Hack

Patricia Giblin Hack, longtime resident of Greenwich, CT and Conway, MI, passed away peacefully on May 7th, surrounded by family. She was 104 years old.

She is survived by her children: Shelley Hack (Harry Winer), Shannon Burns (Charles), W. Torrance Hack (Emily), Shawn von Gal (Peter), Lance Hack and Babe Hack, eleven grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her husband William (Bill) T. Hack, her brothers James Giblin and Peter Giblin, and her granddaughter Anna Hack.

Her incredible lifespan began on Nov. 6,1920, just after the Treaty of Versailles officially ended WWI, Warren Harding was elected president, and Prohibition began. She had fascinating stories about major world events, and adapted adroitly to the enormous changes during her lifetime. (Except maybe the computer stuff.)

Known as Patty, Pat, or Patsy, she was enthusiastic, fun-loving, confident, smart, creative, uncompromising, and possessed of a wicked quick wit. She was a true traveler, rarely followed trends, and had a great eye for fabulous things. Her singing voice was beautiful. She loved a good deal and could spot one from a mile away. Quite stylish, she greatly enjoyed dressing up for a good party with family and friends. But above all, she was adventuresome, and didn’t miss a trick in experiencing life.

Born and raised in Detroit, Patty often reminisced about the excitement of growing up during the golden age of the automobile- spotting the Dodge girls in their custom-made convertibles, accidentally spilling her drink on Henry Ford’s jacket. Summers spent with her cousins on Crooked Lake were the highpoint of her year, and her love of spending time in Conway continued during her later years at her cottage on the lake.

But Detroit felt confining to her, and she longed to see the world. When the fallout from the depression and her father’s heart attack thwarted plans for college after graduating in ‘39 from University Liggett School, she applied for a stewardess position- still a very new profession for young women. Accepted by Pennsylvania Central Airlines, she decided to travel solo thru Mexico- dressed like a boy to avoid unwanted attention- before embarking on her new career. Her job was a thrill- often helping pilots navigate during storms over Northern Michigan with her knowledge of the shapes of the lakes, and experiencing the tension of flying into Washington, D.C. the day of Pearl Harbor.

With the war causing layoffs in the industry, she moved to a residence for young ladies in NYC. After a brief stint working for the Signal Corps, she became a hand model, and later a figure model for Dorothy Hood, the famed illustrator who, together with art director Harry Rodman, changed fashion advertising strategies with their weekly full page illustrated ads for Lord & Taylor in the New York Times.

When she met Bill Hack at, of all places, a funeral, the mutual attraction was immediate and they were engaged after the 3rd date, then married shortly thereafter in NYC on June 8,1945.

After a few years, they found their perfect house in Greenwich- a rambler that could fit a growing family. It was a dream come true for Patty- a wonderful husband she adored, a spacious house in the country with a beautiful view, and eventually 6 children. Patty and Bill’s love for travel took them to places like Thailand, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. Life was good, and she often said “I loved every minute of it.”

The family was devastated when Bill passed away unexpectedly in 1976. Patty missed him terribly for the rest of her days. But she remained strong, and gradually rebuilt her life. She still dreamed of traveling more, and, planning the itineraries herself, explored exotic places few single women would have dared to go.

Mom- You fostered inventive play, providing a wide array of toys and contraptions with the expectation that we’d use our imaginations and get dirty in the process. You gave us opportunities to foster our independence, like throwing us out of the house with a pocketful of Fig Newtons and instructions not to return until you rang the porch bell. Maybe you had no idea of some of the stupid things we did, maybe you did, and just trusted we’d avoid the oft repeated Trilogy of Disaster: don’t poke out an eye, chip a tooth, or bust a head.

You gave us a deep and lasting appreciation of nature and paying attention to all 5 senses; picnics under blooming cherry trees, taking us out of school to enjoy long rides on beautiful days in your convertible or autumn days at the beach, convincing Dad to drive deep into private Florida orange groves, herding us out of the car to smell the orange blossoms, regardless of potential trespassing charges. You inspired us to be adventurous and fun by just being you.

You touched the lives in some inspiring way of everyone who knew you. You and Dad gave us many strengths, many memories, much love, and the best childhood anyone could wish for. We will miss you. Safe travels.

Love,                

Your children

Funeral service to be announced at a later date