Patricia Turnbull Shek
1927 -2019
Patricia Shek was born in New York City on June 28, 1927, and raised in the suburbs of Detroit. Patricia attended Wayne State University and only discontinued her studies to marry a young Thoracic Surgeon, John L. Shek, MD. Together they relocated to Saginaw, Michigan in 1956, where they raised two sons (Peter and John) and one daughter (Eugenie). Patricia was extremely active in our community, and on November 15, 2005, she received the prestigious ArtServe Michigan/ Governor's Award for Arts & Culture (Civic Leadership), as recognition for her many activities and commitment to the Saginaw, Bay City and Midland communities.
Some of Patricia’s community activism in the Saginaw area included her roles as Co-Founder of the Theodore Roethke Memorial Foundation in 1965, Saginaw County Commission on Aging and the Business & Professional Women/KBR Network/NAFE Honoree (2006), Girl Scout Woman of Distinction Award (2003), Volunteer Award, Association of Fundraising Professionals (2003), Saginaw Community Enrichment Foundation "All Area Arts Award", Junior League of Saginaw Valley Gold Rose Award for Outstanding Service to the Community (1994), and as an active member of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra Board, Saginaw Art Museum Board, Saginaw Hall of Fame Board, St. Mary's of Michigan Medical Center Advisory Board, and for her past leadership positions, including President, Saginaw County Medical Society Auxiliary (1969-70), President, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra Service (two terms 1971-73), President, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors (1973-76), President, Saginaw Children's Museum (1973-76 Walter Yoder, Director), President, Saginaw Art Museum (one term 1974), President, St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary (two terms 1975-77), President, Saginaw YWCA (two terms 1978-80), Chair, Heritage Park "Three Children" Sculpture in Downtown Saginaw (1964), Chair, Saginaw Civic Center Music Theater Grand Opening (1973), Chair, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra 40th Birthday Celebration (1975), Chair, St. Mary's Hospital "Vittles and Vogues" Fundraiser (1975), Chair, Saginaw County Bicentennial Committee (1976), Chair, HealthSource Saginaw Community Relations Committee (1990-2000), Chair, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra 60th Birthday Celebration (1994-95), Chair, 1995 "Saginaw Valley to Tin Pan Alley", Chair, 1996 "Pop to Rock" opening Horizons Conference Center, Chair, 1997 "Big Band, Blues and All That Jazz", Co-Chair, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra 70th Birthday Celebration "UM-MSU And All That Jazz" (2005), and for her memberships in civic organizations, including the Junior League of Saginaw Valley (Since 1958), Founding Member, Original Saginaw Children's Zoo Committee, Member, Saginaw Civic Center Planning Committee (1970-73), Member, Saginaw Civic Center Acquisition Committee (1973-76), Member, Westside Historic District (1979-86), Editor and Compiler St. Mary's Hospital "Masterpieces from Saginaw Art Museum Cookbook" (1971), "Manna From Heaven Cookbook ". Patricia was most recently recognized for her many activities by Saginaw Valley State University, Distinguished Service Award Medallion (2012).
Patricia passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at her home in Saginaw, Michigan.