Patricia "Patty" Ann Shirk

Patricia Ann Shirk, 54, of La Grande died Dec. 8 at Grande Ronde Hospital.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Grande Ronde Community Church.

Patricia was born May 11, 1952, in Encino, Calif., to Frank and Audrey Shirk. She graduated from Reseda High School in Encino. She had one son, Chad Shirk. They both moved to La Grande in 1984 to be close to family.

Patty, as she was known, worked at Wal-Mart until she had a heart attack and stroke in September 2001. She had lived with her longtime partner, Terry Van Luevan. She then moved to the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence.

She always had a positive and encouraging word for everyone, no matter what challenges she was facing in her own life. She never met a stranger and was loved by all.

She is survived by her son, Chad Allen Shirk and his wife, Catherine, of La Grande; mother Audrey Hines of Ohio; two sisters, Shirley Glenn of Oklahoma and Linda Stuplich of La Grande; two grandchildren; and several other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Shirk, and step-father, Herbert Hines.

Memorial contributions can be made directly to Loveland Funeral Chapel to help assist with funeral service costs.