Patricia Marie Cheek

Patty passed away on Friday, April 29 at Lakeland Continuing Care Center in Berrien Center, her home since April, 2000. She passed on due to complications from a lifelong battle with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) and Stills Disease. While living at Lakeland she participated in and enjoyed the many programs offered by the Activity Center. She was involved in and served on the Resident Council as Vice President during her stay there. The many dear friends Patty made during her life at Lakeland will miss her always cheerful, gentle and peaceful presence. Patty was a lifelong member of St. Paul?s Episcopal Church in St. Joseph. While attending St. Paul?s she was very active in Women?s Christian Education, bible study and served on the Vestry for a number of years. A very important part of Patty?s life was her long term involvement in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and the many wonderful friends she made. She graduated form Lakeshore Public Schools and attended Lake Michigan College and Central Michigan University majoring in Communication Disorders and Speech Pathology. She volunteered for and worked with the Remedial Reading Center, tutoring children with reading difficulties. She is survived by her mother, Sally and close friend, Marv Abbot, her father Bob and fianc?e, Barb Timmons, brother, Bob (Gina) Cheek and sister, Carolyn (Richard) Sims and nephews, Austin, Kyle and Derek. Patty?s gift to all who knew her, in spite of her struggle with health problems over the years, was that it rarely affected her gentile spirit and pleasing personality. She was viewed by her family, friends and acquaintances as a perfect role model of kindness and compassion. She is now at peace!! Friends may visit with the family on Friday, May 6th, from 6-8 pm at St. Paul?s Church, Morton & Lane, in St. Joseph. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by Mother Liza Spangler, at St.Paul?s on Saturday May 7th, at 11am. Cremation services have been completed. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Paul?s memorial fund in honor of Patty. Friends are invited to send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com.