1950
Patricia
2007
Patricia Parker
March 13, 1950 — September 8, 2007
Patricia Ann Parker of Leawood, KS passed away on September 8, 2007 in her home. Patricia fought a courageous 13-year battle with breast cancer.
She was born in Vicksburg, MS on March 13, 1950 to Clarence and Theresa Whites. She was the middle of their three daughters. Patricia first attended Rolla High School and following her first marriage and the birth of her son, graduated from McCluer High School in St. Louis, MO in 1969. She received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Central Missouri State University in 1978 and her Masters in Counseling from Avila College in 1983.
She was employed by NARA inpatient drug program as a therapist for three years, and later worked for the Blue Springs Youth Diversion Program as a youth counselor. While at Blue Springs, she did a comparative study on the effectiveness of youth diversion as opposed to incarceration. The study was published in the American Psychological Association Journal and presented at their annual conference. She then worked for Research Mental Health Services as a family therapist. She retired from mental health in 1994, after being diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks before marrying her husband, and love of her life, Randy Parker; they shared 13 years of love and joy. In 1995, she and her son, Michael opened a retail store, Outdoor Connections, which included the first portable climbing wall in the Kansas City area. Patricia was a member of Unity Church of Overland Park for 20 years where she served as an usher. Her hobbies included travel, entertaining, ice-skating, golf and spending time with family and friends. She was an avid reader, belonging to three book clubs, and did volunteer work for the Bloch Cancer Hotline, the Children?s Peace Pavilion, and Focus Seminars. She loved life and was very active, even after her paralysis earlier this year from chemotherapy. Determined to maintain her quality of life, she learned to drive with hand controls, continued to play golf from her scooter and played HORSE on the basketball court with her grandchildren while in a wheelchair, as well as continued with Pilates. Her family, friends and physicians remember her ?never give up? attitude and the word ?can?t? was not in her vocabulary.
Patricia leaves behind her husband, Randall T. Parker, father Clarence Whites, of Kansas City, MO, her son Michael P. Stites and wife Margret of Lee?s Summit, MO, step-son Jonathan P. Parker of Overland Park, KS, step-daughter Julie M. Parker of Kansas City, MO and grandchildren Madison Stites, 11 and Maison Stites, 9. Two sisters, Cindy Stephenson and husband, Tommy, of Grandview, MO, and Lee Suarez and husband, John, nieces Andrea Feldman and Alexis Suarez and nephew, Tobe Suarez, all of St. Louis, MO ? great nieces and nephews, many aunts, uncles, cousins and loving friends everywhere.
Patricia?s love for life was apparent to all who knew her. Her love for people knew no boundaries, whether family or friends, Patricia was gifted with the ability to light up the room with her charm and warmth and will be truly missed. Patricia?s family wishes to thank the many family, friends and caregivers for their love, prayers and tender care that was given to her.
In accordance with her wishes, Patricia will be cremated and a celebration of her life will be held at Unity Church of Overland Park on Tuesday, October 16. Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 pm on Tuesday, September 11 at Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. In lieu of flowers, Patricia and her family request contributions be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to fund research for a cure for cancer or to Turning Point ? The Center for Hope and Healing, 8900 State Line Road, Ste. 240, Leawood, KS 66206.
She was born in Vicksburg, MS on March 13, 1950 to Clarence and Theresa Whites. She was the middle of their three daughters. Patricia first attended Rolla High School and following her first marriage and the birth of her son, graduated from McCluer High School in St. Louis, MO in 1969. She received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Central Missouri State University in 1978 and her Masters in Counseling from Avila College in 1983.
She was employed by NARA inpatient drug program as a therapist for three years, and later worked for the Blue Springs Youth Diversion Program as a youth counselor. While at Blue Springs, she did a comparative study on the effectiveness of youth diversion as opposed to incarceration. The study was published in the American Psychological Association Journal and presented at their annual conference. She then worked for Research Mental Health Services as a family therapist. She retired from mental health in 1994, after being diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks before marrying her husband, and love of her life, Randy Parker; they shared 13 years of love and joy. In 1995, she and her son, Michael opened a retail store, Outdoor Connections, which included the first portable climbing wall in the Kansas City area. Patricia was a member of Unity Church of Overland Park for 20 years where she served as an usher. Her hobbies included travel, entertaining, ice-skating, golf and spending time with family and friends. She was an avid reader, belonging to three book clubs, and did volunteer work for the Bloch Cancer Hotline, the Children?s Peace Pavilion, and Focus Seminars. She loved life and was very active, even after her paralysis earlier this year from chemotherapy. Determined to maintain her quality of life, she learned to drive with hand controls, continued to play golf from her scooter and played HORSE on the basketball court with her grandchildren while in a wheelchair, as well as continued with Pilates. Her family, friends and physicians remember her ?never give up? attitude and the word ?can?t? was not in her vocabulary.
Patricia leaves behind her husband, Randall T. Parker, father Clarence Whites, of Kansas City, MO, her son Michael P. Stites and wife Margret of Lee?s Summit, MO, step-son Jonathan P. Parker of Overland Park, KS, step-daughter Julie M. Parker of Kansas City, MO and grandchildren Madison Stites, 11 and Maison Stites, 9. Two sisters, Cindy Stephenson and husband, Tommy, of Grandview, MO, and Lee Suarez and husband, John, nieces Andrea Feldman and Alexis Suarez and nephew, Tobe Suarez, all of St. Louis, MO ? great nieces and nephews, many aunts, uncles, cousins and loving friends everywhere.
Patricia?s love for life was apparent to all who knew her. Her love for people knew no boundaries, whether family or friends, Patricia was gifted with the ability to light up the room with her charm and warmth and will be truly missed. Patricia?s family wishes to thank the many family, friends and caregivers for their love, prayers and tender care that was given to her.
In accordance with her wishes, Patricia will be cremated and a celebration of her life will be held at Unity Church of Overland Park on Tuesday, October 16. Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 pm on Tuesday, September 11 at Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. In lieu of flowers, Patricia and her family request contributions be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to fund research for a cure for cancer or to Turning Point ? The Center for Hope and Healing, 8900 State Line Road, Ste. 240, Leawood, KS 66206.
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