Patricia J. Summers, 66, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at her home.
She was born Dec. 19, 1941, in Alton, a daughter of Lyman and Helen (Williamson) Barton.
After graduating from Alton High School with the class of 1960, she continued her education at the University of Arkansas, where she earned a degree in psychology/sociology and a teaching certificate in social studies. In 1989, she had the opportunity to serve the blind community as Director of the Harrisburg Area Radio Reading Service at the Tri-County Association for the Blind. In 2004, she became the service coordinator at the Abe Cramer B'nai B'rith Apartments in Harrisburg, where she served the senior residents. She was a member of the National Association of Radio Reading Services and the American Association of Service Coordinators.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Dr. James Summers; their two sons and a daughter-in-law, Scott M. and Elizabeth of Wellington, Fla., and Craig B. of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Melody and Matthew Summers of Wellington; two brothers and their wives, Terry and Linda Barton of Alton and Gary and Nancy Barton of Lone Tree, Colo; a sister and her husband, Jan and Dr. Dan Potts of St. Louis; a sister-in-law and her husband, Lucy and J.O. Banhart of Lees Summit, Mo.; a brother-in-law and his wife, Marc and Marilyn Summers of Scottsdale; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Interment will be in Illinois.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 897, Hershey, PA 17033; Penn State Cancer Institute, in care of University Development, PS Hershey, P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033; Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 100 Brown Street, Suite 23, Middletown, PA 17057; and Caring Bridge, 1995 Rahn Cliff Ct., Suite 200, Eagan, MN 55122
[Obit from TheTelegraph.com, provided by Perry Coons - mhl]
Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)
Pat Barton was a sweet, talented, truly nice person. And pretty, too. She was in my class from at least junior high school on. She also was in my Girl Scout Troop, and we were friends. My sympathy to her family and closest friends for I know she was well-loved and is missed.Marilyn Hope Waide Lake
Perry Coons
Patty died in March 2008.Judy Hershey (Melly)
Patti died in 2009 of cancer. She was my best friend all through ou school years starting in first grade. She was in my wedding in 1964. I loved her very much. She lived at the end of my street in early years, and we spent a night a weekend with each other. I loved her whole family and have had some wonderful emails with her brother Terry who still lives in Alton. Patti and I lost contact after many years apart and I determined I was going to catch up with her. Letters I had sent had not been answered and I was not sure I had the right address. When I finally received Terry's address, alas, I was too late. She was gone. I find it a huge loss and a lesson not to let so much time intervene in friendships! She was a terrific human being and I gather that she was much loved in Hershey PA, her long-time home.Roger Cooke
Perry, thank you very much for posting that.
My strongest memory of Patty is from ninth grade, where we were the first class to enjoy the new East Junior High School on Washington Avenue. In chorus that year, we did a piece that you probably couldn't do now, a specifically Christian hymn, which I have heard only once since that time. It had one-line solos for a soprano and a baritone. Patty sang the soprano line, "For he is the greatest upon his high throne," and Bill Kodros sang the baritone response, "And he was the least as the child of a maiden."
Jean Wilson (Alexander)
I was so saddened to read of Patty's death. She and I were very good friends for many years. We grew up in Upper Alton, went to Horace Mann , were in girl scouts together, had many slumber parties, and pizza parties together. Remember, back then we made our pizzas from scratch...not call for delivery. My sympathy to her family.
Cindy Kodros (Garvey)
Patty was the product of a beautiful family. She was as pretty outside as her heart was inside. She has been missed by many of her classmates and her old classmates such as I. Cindy