Patricia L. Heath

Patricia L. Heath, 79, of Gates Street, Andover, OH, died Thursday, April 10, 2008. She was born October 6, 1928 to Matilda and Norman Becker, one of 15 children. She was raised as a foster child by Florence and Blaine Hall of Buffalo, NY. She married Russell W. Heath Sr. on June12, 1948, in North Collins NY. They raised five children on a small farm in the community of Richmond Center, north of Andover, Ohio. She was a member of the Richmond Methodist Church. Mrs. Heath valued her life with her husband and children, and enjoyed helping friends and neighbors. Throughout all her years, she took great pleasure in feeding children and adults from the neighborhood, as well as being a wonderful listener and comfort giver, for those in distress. She loved her golden retriever, Annie, with whom she and Russell shared their final years, until the onset of her recent illness. Patricia took great pleasure in attending all the sporting events of her children, grandchildren and most recently, her great-grandchildren. She was an ardent fan for many decades of the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Indians, and especially, the Ohio State Buckeyes. Pat had started her 55 years of marriage to Russ, while he was an Ohio State student during the Woody Hayes era, and they were diehard fans. Her final sporting event was attending a Cleveland Cavaliers basketball game a year ago, as they went to the finals. Patricia also took great pleasure in faithfully following the musical groups, "Good Question" and "Raintree," for many years, with which her daughter Barbara sang. Fostered by a love for the hymns of her church she and Russ attended with her children, she spent six decades connecting with musical artists. She shared a passion of music with her entire family, taking great delight in attending nearly 40 concerts and performances of many various artists, with her children, throughout the states. Survivors include her children; Barbara Heath, of Plymouth Township, Linda Heath, of Ashtabula, Cynthia (Roger) Fetters, of New Lyme, Russell (Susan) W. Heath Jr., Colonel, USAF-Retired, of Fairfax, VA; and Thomas R. Heath of Clearwater, FL, nine grandchildren; Jessica (Joel) Baldwin, Kelly (Jeff) Cox, Josh and Ross Bryan, Matthew (Jessica) Fetters, Ben and Brett Fetters, Tyler and Emily Heath, and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell W. Heath Sr. on April 13, 2004, her parents, foster parents, and several brothers and sisters. Calling hours will be held at the Richmond United Methodist Church, Saturday, April 12, from 1 - 4 PM, which will then be followed by a funeral service and meal. Pastors Sandy Anderson and Tom Orr will preside over the memorial services. Baumgardner Funeral Home of Andover is in charge of arrangements.

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