Patricia Jenkins Steck

Patricia Jenkins Steck, Indianapolis (formerly Muncie), passed away peacefully September 25, 2010, after a brief, courageous battle with cancer. Pat was born to Isabelle and George F. Jenkins I, March 31, 1933, in Binghamton , NY . However, she spent the majority of her young life growing up in Thetford Mines, Quebec, Canada, where her father was President of an asbestos mining company. Pat graduated from Bradford Jr. College in Haverhill , MA , and it was there she met her husband, Thomas, a graduate of nearby Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH. They married in 1952. Eventually Pat and Tom ventured to Tom’s home town of Muncie, IN to settle and pursue the clothing business and start a family. When not helping grow the family business of Steck’s men’s and women’s fine clothing stores, Pat enjoyed cheering those in Wes-Del sports, then all Indiana University, Colts and Pacer games, and was active in her clubs and volunteering activities for various charities including Meals-on-Wheels, Tri Kappa, White River Golden Retriever Club, GRRACE, Touching Paws, Joy’s House, and visiting the elderly and disabled with her beloved golden retrievers she would have certified as a therapy dog. Pat was always known for her love of all animals – from her golden retrievers, to the hunter/jumper show horses she shared her passion with her husband and daughters, to even bottle feeding baby raccoons that were left motherless in the woods of the Steck home just outside of Muncie, Hawthorn Hill. Every person that knew Pat remarked on her grace and compassion toward others. They found her full with wit and wisdom, always willing to help with a deed, a kind word, or a card of encouragement. One favorite activity Pat so enjoyed was being a moderator, friend, and mentor to many on Chazhound.com/forums, a dog lover’s website where they lovingly referred to her as “Grammy" and shared her compassion towards dogs and love of life. Pat was predeceased by her husband of almost 50 years, Tom, in 2002, is survived by her brother Geof (Norma) Jenkins II of Daufuskie Island, SC; son Michael (Diana) Steck and grandson Ian of Visalia, CA; daughter Janine (Jeff) Huffman and grandson Nash, and daughter Amy (John) Stanley all of Noblesville, IN, and beloved golden retriever mix, Ollie; along with nieces and nephews and many loving friends and family to be found internationally.Per her wishes, arrangements will be with family and private. Donations in her honor may be made to Down Syndrome Indiana 2625 N. Meridian St. #49 Indianapolis, IN 46208 attn: Dash for Nash/Buddy Walk, or online at http://www.firstgiving.com/nashhuffman, or a charity of your choice.