Patricia Ann Keri

When Patricia Ann Keri walked into the room, those in her company felt energy, an enthusiastic spontaneity. This was just one example of who Patricia was and how she impacted those around her. Patricia was a clever and gregarious person who always sought out the finest attributes in other people. It was as if Patricia wanted to share all of their experiences, revel in their lives and celebrate their discoveries. Patricia was tireless and had boundless enthusiasm that would serve her well throughout her life.

She was the daughter of Theodore Sirak and Ellen Thomas. Patricia was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Always at the ready with a good joke, she grew up to be quite a humorous person. While some who knew Patricia might describe her as an idealist, her friends and family understood well that Patricia was always in pursuit of life’s endless possibilities and opportunities available to her.

With a talent for making acquaintances easily which in turn brought her an endless stream of friends, Patricia was very sociable and could blend without effort into any social group. Assertive and outgoing, Patricia was easy to know and demonstrated a deep concern for others. She always seemed aware of what was going on with people around her and throughout her life she made many, many friends. Her best friends throughout her life were her husband, Robert, Jeanie Yelpon, her sister, Fran and her three daughters, Shawn, Kim and Kelly.

On September 9, 1978 Patricia married Robert John Keri at the City Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada. Patricia's skill at “building bridges” played an important role in her ability to make her new family happy. She was quite sensitive towards Robert's needs, showing her constant concern and fondness. Patricia was tenderhearted and sensitive, qualities that served her well in helping to nurture her family.

Patricia was a natural and creative parent who was willing to provide her family with all sorts of new and interesting experiences. For Patricia, parenting was a particularly enjoyable and pleasurable part of her life. Every activity, from chores to bedtime routines, became a game in the Keri home. Patricia's skill at understanding her children's feelings, her sensitivity to their needs, and her gift for gentle persuasion enabled her to find novel solutions to any problem or situation that might crop up. Patricia was blessed with four children: three daughters, Shawn, Kim, Kelly and one adopted son, Jeff. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Shane, Ryan, Nicholas and Nathan.

Patricia was uplifted by new ideas and was excited by life’s possibilities, traits that made her an exceptional worker. Her primary occupation was as a mother and as an administrative assistant. She was employed for over 30 years with ANR Freight Company. Patricia was enterprising, inventive and working against deadlines seemed to energize her. Patricia had the uncanny ability to identify a win/win solution to just about any problem, possibly because of her gift for insight. Patricia's fellow workers saw her as a supporter and a mentor.

Because Patricia loved to have a broad variety of activities in her life, she took advantage of the opportunity to pursue numerous hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were shopping and playing video poker and keno machines. Patricia had a knack for being able to multi-task in order to create time for all of her favorite pastimes. However, Patricia's ever-present concern for others always took precedent.

Patricia derived much satisfaction from watching her grandson, Ryan play baseball and Shane, play the cello. As far as professional sports go, tops on her list was basketball.

Throughout her life, Patricia was actively involved in professional and community organizations. She was compassionate, accommodating and quick to move into action. Always able to build a consensus, Patricia seemed to be the person smack dab in the middle of things, working to get things done. Those who had the opportunity to work with Patricia usually agreed that when you were involved in an organization with her, it was as entertaining as anything you could imagine. Throughout her later years, Patricia was an active volunteer for cancer research.

Because Patricia was constantly in the center of things and where the action was, she always seemed willing to join in and help, regularly getting involved in community activities. Patricia's gift of planning and improvisation, along with a talent for rallying support, made her a great asset. Patricia found new ways of getting things done in order to help make just about every activity more efficient and enjoyable. Patricia was an active member of several community groups, serving on committees for the Terry Fox Foundation.

Patricia's love of improvising in her daily life was a perfect fit for her enjoyment of traveling. Her favorite vacations were ones that were not planned. Traveling in a casual manor fit her personality well. Excited about seeing changing scenery and constantly looking for the enjoyment life could offer, Patricia took her stay-cations seriously, well, as seriously as she possibly could. Favorite vacations included traveling to Hawaii. Her most recent birthday was also her favorite. She celebrated with her children and grandchildren, which was what she derived the most pleasure from.

When Patricia's retirement finally came in 2001, Patricia handled it the way she usually did. She adapted and, like everything in her life, made it satisfying. Because she was such a flexible person and able to adjust to any situation, retirement was just another enjoyable change of pace for Patricia to master. Her new life involved relocating to Las Vegas to enjoy the rest of her family. Even in retirement, Patricia continued to stay in touch with her old friends and like always, made plenty of new ones.

Patricia Keri passed away on May 9, 2012 at Las Ventanas in Las Vegas, Nevada. She fought lymphoma for four years before succumbing to leukemia. She is survived by her husband, Robert "Bob", her three daughters, Shawn, Kim and Kelly, her adopted son, Jeff, her grandchildren, Shane, Ryan, Nathan and Nicholas and her sister, Fran. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary. Patricia was laid to rest in Palm Northwest Cemetery in Las Vegas, Nevada.

There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Patricia. She was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. She had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around. While she was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Patricia Keri for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage. Patricia was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with her loved ones.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Northwest Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.