Patricia J. Merkel ‘Patti’

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Merkel, Patricia J. (Klaassen) ‘Patti’ Rochester: Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at age 56. Predeceased by her parents, Francis ‘Whitey and Jane Klaassen; husband, Dennis F. Merkel. Survived by her fiancée, Rick O’Brien; her children, Chad (Cheri) Merkel; Holly Merkel; Heidi (Ted) Reilly, Joan (Andrew) Gradus; grandchildren, Dennis and Kylie Merkel, Madelyne and MacLean Reilly, Elena Gradus; her siblings, Valerie (Peter) Genovese, William Klaassen, Stephen (Patricia) Klaassen; cousin, Debbie Turner and family; several loving nieces, nephews, and close friends. The family wishes to thank Dr. Elizabeth Arthur and the staff at Hildbrandt Hospice for the loving care of Patti. Friends may call Friday (Dec 12th) 4-7 PM at Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home, 1075 Long Pond Road, Greece Chapel. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday (Dec 13th) 9:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hildebrandt Hospice in her memory. For more information, or to sign Patti’s online guestbook please visit www.MeesonFamily.com.

20 Comments

  1. Paula Root on December 11, 2014 at 12:00 am

    I will miss my friend Patti immensely! Always a smile and laugh for all her knew her. Patti was genuine and real, no airs about her! I will cherish my 20+ years of memories. My love and sympathy to the family. RIP girlfriend, love you



  2. barb and steve and boys on December 11, 2014 at 12:00 am

    Love you my friend. we will miss you tons. we will see you some day. Praying for chad and cheri and holli and kids and family . you are there gurdian angel .



  3. Chris Brown on December 11, 2014 at 12:00 am

    My deepest sympathy to the entire family . Patti had a smile that would light up the room we have many great memories from hockey tournaments , bowling etc. . She will be sadly missed but never forgotten .
    The Brown / Zapf Family



  4. sharon sesock on December 11, 2014 at 12:00 am

    My Girlfriend’¦.there are no words to explain how much I’m going to miss you’¦.you’ve been such a good friend and I’ll always cherish the fun times we had together..you’ll always be in my heart’¦love you’¦.

    Sharon



  5. Connie Merkel on December 11, 2014 at 12:00 am

    Oh Patti, so many memories of your early years when you first met Denny and Bruce and I. So many
    shared hours and stories and laughter and love. Bruce and I loved
    You from the start. You went through so much and kept moving forward after the loss of Denny. You have been a wonderful Mother. Sibling,
    Friend and Fiancé. We are so glad to have had you in our lives. May you now be joined in Heaven and we will all meet again. Love you from us all.

    Connie & Bruce



  6. Sue Lindsay on December 11, 2014 at 12:00 am

    Patti, you touched my life in so many positive ways with your smile the unconditional love you gave to everyone, your generosity, the special way you had to make everyone you came in contact with comfortable and a friend. You were a beautiful example and a very special person. I will miss you so much! Love you girlfriend!
    Sue



  7. Jerry, Noreen Carr and family on December 11, 2014 at 12:00 am

    Patti,
    Noreen and I, as well as all of our children, will miss you very much as neighbors and especially as long time close friends. We will always remember your kindness, laughter and friendship. So many great memories for sure that will live on. Our love to you and your family and you will always be in our hearts.



  8. Michele Dennstedt and family on December 11, 2014 at 12:00 am

    So sorry my deepest sympathy to the family…I worked with Patti at Kodak her kids where the same age as mine she was a fantastic beautiful woman a great mom so very proud of her kids.She will be missed by all.Rest in peace Patti…ly



  9. Kathy & Thom Barfield on December 11, 2014 at 12:00 am

    We miss you already. We will cherish our memories of you. We know we were not ‘legal’ but we have always considered you our sister-n-law and our family, and we always will. Rest In Peace now!



  10. Robin Schneider Carlisi on December 11, 2014 at 12:00 am

    What a terribly sad loss…. I will always remember her giggle.



  11. Tim Merkel on December 12, 2014 at 12:00 am

    Godspeed Patti. I will miss you in this place. On behalf of my sibnlings, I’m donating to H Hospice to honor you, but it’s such an understatement to the loss the family feels.



  12. Gary Goldstein on December 12, 2014 at 12:00 am

    My deepest condolences to the entire family and friends circle of Patti! We had wonderful times together in our youth as members of the Cadets of Greece Drum corps and the spirit was alive again in 2012 when she joined us for the planning of a reunion that was such a success!! It was like we never lost the spirit of ‘drum corps family’ !! I am so sorry that I cannot pay my final respects, but my work schedule doesn’t allow me to attend. May you all find peace in your aching hearts with knowing Patti through your lives and remember……she now is your guardian angel until we meet again at the gates of Heaven!



  13. Elena Epping on December 12, 2014 at 12:00 am

    Patti always made a point to visit with me at Lakeshore. Our boys played roller hockey together for years. She always smiled, was always nice and her giggle was contagious. My heart goes out to her children and grandchildren.



  14. Amy on December 12, 2014 at 12:00 am

    Sending love and prayers to to all of Patti’s family and friends. So very sorry for your loss. Patti was a sweetheart and a joy to all who knew her.



  15. Louise Cardillo on December 12, 2014 at 12:00 am

    The loss of this dearly loved wife, mother, sister, daughter is so deeply felt. The twinkle of her beautiful eyes never faltered. We are so saddened by her loss. With love from David, Louise and Family.



  16. Sonia on December 12, 2014 at 12:00 am

    ‘Throw your burden on Jehovah, and he WILL sustain you. NEVER will he allow the righteous one to fall.’ Psalms 55:22. These words have given me the much needed comfort after the loss of my mother last year & I hope they bring everyone, friends and family of Ms. Merkel, the much needed solace. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours at this very much difficult time.



  17. Raymond Sanger on December 13, 2014 at 12:00 am

    It’s been many years since I’ve been in touch with any of the Klaassen family. I grew up with Patti and family on Edgemere Drive. I still have a photo of Patti and I waiting for the bus on the first day of kindergarten. I am saddened to hear of her passing. Here’s wishing comfort to all during this difficult time. Peace, my friends.



  18. Genny & John Johnson on December 13, 2014 at 12:00 am

    So hard to comprehend the loss of the most beautiful, remarkable person I have ever met. Patti will be grievously missed. Patti, raised two incredible young people (Chad & Holly) as a single parent and did an amazing job. Chad and Holly always came first. We will miss Patti’s contagious laugh, gorgeous blue eyes, unbelievable sense of humor, her kindness, generosity, hospitality and magnificent cooking. We always had the best of times with Patti, never a DULL moment, so many, many memories and laughs. Our hearts go out to Chad, Holly and all the family. Patti you are an unforgettable person, you will always be on our minds and in our hearts. I know that we all have heard this before, (God always takes the BEST), Goodbye my friend. Love, Genny & John Johnson



  19. CATHERINE M SCARFIA-MILLER on December 14, 2014 at 12:00 am

    HEY CUZ ILL MISS YA SO SO MUC.. LIFE ON THE BEACH IN THE 50 AND 60 WAS SO AMAZING ILL ALWAYS HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF YOU ALWAYS YOU WERE ALWAYS SUCH A BLESSING



  20. Chari Potter DeYoung on December 24, 2014 at 12:00 am

    I never knew Patti well, but knew the Klaassen family as our life long neighbors on the shoreline. Am deeply saddened and shocked to hear of Patti’s passing. My heart goes out to her family and closest friends. So very sorry for your loss.



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