Patricia Panek

Patricia Adele Panek was born in Flint, MI, on February 24, 1939, to the late Carl and Beatrice Panek.  She graduated from Sacred Heart School of Flint and continued her education at Flint Community College where she earned her Associate of the Arts degree.  She also attended DeLima College, but, went on to receive her BA in Education from Oakland University.  She attended graduate school at University of Detroit, Michigan State University, and received her MA in Math from Eastern University.  In 1976, Miss Panek entered the Dominican Order of Sisters in Oxford, Michigan.  After several years of spiritual training and education, she began teaching in various parochial schools throughout Michigan, including the school she attended, Sacred Heart of Flint.  She enjoyed working with children and their families. She believed every child has special talents and unique abilities. After leaving the Dominican Order in 1979, she continued her work as a teacher for the Flint Community School system.  Miss Panek was a dedicated employee for over 40 years to the Flint Community Schools.  She worked at several Flint schools including Cummings, Coolidge, and retiring from Potter.

Miss Panek held memberships from various organizations including the United Teachers of Flint, MEA, NEA, National Council of Teachers of Math, Michigan Council of Teachers of Math, and Greater Flint Council of Teachers. She volunteered at various organizations including Sacred Heart Parish Council Representative at Large, Sacred Heart Board of Education Secretary, Heart in the City Advisory Board, Math enrichment speaker, Flint Math Convention, presided over math conventions, religious education teacher volunteer for 9 years, Lapeer State Home volunteer, Red Cross Coordinator, guest speaker for various groups, Juvenile Facilities Volunteer Math teacher, and Volunteer teacher for Mott Adult GED classes.  She began and directed the Summer Focus and Focus Follow Through tutoring and enrichment programs, set up GED review classes for inner city adults, coordinated Jr. Peace Corps Program through Sacred Heart Parish, and Migrant Camps teacher.  Miss Panek received Keys to the City for Outstanding Work in the Inner City of Flint.

There was more to Patricia Panek than her work.  She was a dedicated member of Sacred Heart Parish until it closed.  She later became a dedicated member of Christ the King Parish.  She valued life and enjoyed helping others.  However, she also enjoyed her personal time. She enjoyed reading, bingo, watching Judge Judy, couponing, going to sister Judy’s house and getting lost in the casino along the way, shopping, talking on the phone, and volunteering in her church and community. She also enjoyed participating in state and local school math committees and the AARP tax program for seniors.  She especially enjoyed spending time with her dearest friend Carol, as well as traveling and spending time with her daughter and grand-daughters.

Miss Patricia Adele Panek leaves to cherish her legacy: daughter, Jamika (Brande) Green; 3 granddaughters, A’Lasia, Amanda, and Ajahna Panek all of Linden, Michigan; 1 great granddaughter, Alaysia Tiggs of Flint, Michigan; 5 brothers, Carl (Jane) Panek, Jack Panek, Keith (Sue) Panek, all of Flint, Michigan, Thomas Panek of Fenton, Michigan, and Michael Panek of Big Rapids, Michigan; 4 sisters, Judy (Roger) O’Dell of Stanwood, Michigan, Melody Panek, Pamela Panek of Big Rapids, Michigan, and Beatrice Vallet of Ironwood, Michigan.  A host of nieces and nephews including special great niece and god daughter Rebecca (John) Watson, great nephews Kavoceya and Davon VanAssche, all of Big Rapids, Michigan; special nieces Mary (Kelly) Stogner, and Jerri (Eric) Doherty all of Flint, Michigan; god daughters Christine Mitchell of Crystal Falls, Michigan, Mistie Palmer, Mona and Sharesee Johnson, LaKeshia Marks, Capitola Ashley, Tiffany (Michael) Thomas, Shavonnie Meeks, Ivory Meeks, and Arie Meeks all of Flint, Michigan.  Life long dear and special friends Carol Piechocki of Grand Blanc, Michigan, and Sally Ferguson of Holly, Michigan.

Miss Patricia Adele Panek was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Beatrice Panek; sister Ann Panek; brothers Jerry Panek and Richard Panek; nieces Amanda Stewart and Patti Stewart; aunt Mae Mac; and god son Issaan Meeks.

The family would like to express special thanks to McClaren CCU, Sukamal Saha MD PC, Syed Ahmed MD, Venkat Rao MD, Wilfredo Rivera MD; Sharp Funeral Home of Swartz Creek, Michigan; Carol Piechocki, Tiffany Thomas, Father Phil Schmitter, and Ferguson Printing Inc.

Acknowledgments

We are so grateful for all the acts of kindness and thoughtfulness expressed during this time of grief.  Your calls, visits, cards, and prayers have given us strength, encouragement, and comfort during this difficult time.

~ Jamika, A’Lasia, Amanda, & Ajahna