Patricia Shek
June 28, 1927 - February 27, 2019
Obituary
Passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at her home in Saginaw, Michigan. She was born in New York City on June 28, 1927, and raised in the suburbs of Detroit. Patricia attended Wayne State University and discontinued her studies to marry a young Thoracic Surgeon, John L. Shek, MD, and they moved to Saginaw, Michigan in 1956. John L. Shek died in Saginaw on September 17, 1998. Patricia is survived by two sons and one daughter, Peter S. Shek and his wife Debra Ann Shek and their children Millicent Elyse, John Walter, and Peter Leonard Shek, all of Saginaw, her daughter Eugenie V. Shek, of Saginaw, and her son John R. Shek, of South Pasadena, Florida, and his children by Sandra L. Eddy of Marblehead, Massachusetts, Madeleine Shek, of Missoula, Montana, and Katherine L. (Kaye) Shek, of Eugene, Oregon, and a brother Michael L. Turnbull and Patty (Petzold) Turnbull of Harbor Springs, Michigan and Juno Beach, Florida. Patricia was active in her community, and on November 15, 2005, she received the prestigious ArtServe Michigan/ Governor's Award for Arts & Culture (Civic Leadership), as recognition for her many activities and commitment to the Saginaw, Bay City and Midland communities. Her activities included Co-Founder of the Theodore Roethke Memorial Foundation in 1965, Saginaw County Commission on Aging and the Business & Professional Women/KBR Network/NAFE Honoree (2006), Girl Scout Woman of Distinction Award (2003), Volunteer Award, Association of Fundraising Professionals (2003), Saginaw Community Enrichment Foundation "All Area Arts Award", Junior League of Saginaw Valley Gold Rose Award for Outstanding Service to the Community (1994), and as an active member of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra Board, Saginaw Art Museum Board, Saginaw Hall of Fame Board, St. Mary's of Michigan Medical Center Advisory Board, and for her past leadership positions, including President, Saginaw County Medical Society Auxiliary (1969-70), President, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra Service (two terms 1971-73), President, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors (1973-76), President, Saginaw Children's Museum (1973-76 Walter Yoder, Director), President, Saginaw Art Museum (one term 1974), President, St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary (two terms 1975-77), President, Saginaw YWCA (two terms 1978-80), Chair, Heritage Park "Three Children" Sculpture in Downtown Saginaw (1964), Chair, Saginaw Civic Center Music Theater Grand Opening (1973), Chair, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra 40th Birthday Celebration (1975), Chair, St. Mary's Hospital "Vittles and Vogues" Fundraiser (1975), Chair, Saginaw County Bicentennial Committee (1976), Chair, HealthSource Saginaw Community Relations Committee (1990-2000), Chair, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra 60th Birthday Celebration (1994-95), Chair, 1995 "Saginaw Valley to Tin Pan Alley", Chair, 1996 "Pop to Rock" opening Horizons Conference Center, Chair, 1997 "Big Band, Blues and All That Jazz", Co-Chair, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra 70th Birthday Celebration "UM-MSU And All That Jazz" (2005), and for her memberships in civic organizations, including the Junior League of Saginaw Valley (Since 1958), Founding Member, Original Saginaw Children's Zoo Committee, Member, Saginaw Civic Center Planning Committee (1970-73), Member, Saginaw Civic Center Acquisition Committee (1973-76), Member, Westside Historic District (1979-86), Editor and Compiler St. Mary's Hospital "Masterpieces from Saginaw Art Museum Cookbook" (1971), "Manna From Heaven Cookbook ". Patricia was most recently recognized for her many activities by Saginaw Valley State University, Distinguished Service Award Medallion (2012). FUNERAL: Services will take place on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 11:00 am, at the First United Methodist Church, 4790 Gratiot Road, Saginaw, Michigan, Pastor Amy Terhune officiating, internment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, 6100 Gratiot Road, Saginaw. Michigan. The Shek Family is planning a memorial service and a gathering early May, 2019, for those who cannot attend the funeral service. VISITATION: Tuesday, March 5, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. at the church, until the time of service. MEMORIALS: Those planning a memorial contribution are asked to consider the Saginaw Art Museum or the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, or a charity of your choosing. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com.
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Memories
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M.Sylvia Martinez
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I will keep the whole Shek family in my prayers. Sorry for your loss, I'm sure she was the light of doctor Shek's life. The "Rosas" family held in high esteem doctor Shek. My mother Maria Rosas felt Dr Shek could do no wrong. My brother Carlos enjoyed working for Peter Shek. I appreciated getting to know Genie, such a sweet person. My name is Sylvia Martinez
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Eric Gilbertson
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Pat was a wonderfully kind and generous friend . We are grateful for her life among us.
Eric and Cindy Gilbertson
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Joan M. Cramer
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I was shocked and saddened to learn of Mrs. Shek's passing. I had the pleasure of working with her over the years on many of her activities, including one of her passions, the Theodore Roethke Memorial Foundation Poetry Prize. My thoughts are prayers are with the Shek family. Joan Cramer
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Anonymous
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Multicolor Pastel Sympathy Standing Basket was purchased for the family of Patricia T. Shek.
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Annie Ransford
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Friends of Theodore Roethke sends sympathy to Patricia Shek's family for their loss. I feel fortunate to have known her. A few summers ago the SVSU Scholar, Brendan Rushton, and I stopped to hear her early Roethke stories and drink her family bottled wine. She was the grande dame of all things Roethke in Saginaw. How fortunate that Patricia and her husband began the first foundation in his name and brought so many poets connected to Roethke to Saginaw. Such a service to his community!
Annie Ransford, Roethke House, president.
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Thomas Mudd
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I have been a board member of the Saginaw County Hall of Fame for almost thirty years and president for the last sixteen. Pat Shek was a board member for all of those years, attending regularly, contributing wisely in her low-voiced way. Even as her health status declined, she found a way to get to the meetings and make her usual apt suggestions. And reading her obituary, she surely was a valuable member of so many other boards. When the time comes, Pat will surely be nominated for inclusion into Saginaw County's Hall of Fame.
Thomas B. Mudd