Obituaries
Lilburn's 'Ambassador' Passes Away
Patti-Jo Shapiro, 59, combined her love of learning with community service.
Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.
Our unofficial “Ambassador of Lilburn,” Patti-Jo Shapiro, 59, lost her battle with cancer this morning, Aug. 3.
She was surrounded by family and close friends in the comfort of her own home.
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She is survived by her mother Ann Vyce of Florida; daughters, Alaina and Laurel Shapiro; sisters, Arlene Falkin (Gary) and Michele Slatnick, both of Florida, and many other family members and friends around the world.
Patti-Jo was born in West Hartford, Conn., but spent the past 30-plus years living and working in Gwinnett County and was proud to call herself a Gwinnettian.
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She was one of those rare individuals who combined her love of learning with rigorous standards of community service. Everyone who knew her knew that it would be hard to say “No” whenever Patti-Jo came calling for a cause.
She could always be counted on to have her camera ready at every community event and to capture the essence of life in the Greater Lilburn area. Her photographs can be found in newspapers and magazines throughout the county. Her dream was to continually inspire others to achieve their own personal greatness.
With Patti-Jo’s passing we are reminded that life is one to be celebrated and that a place is only as good as the people you know in it. Although we will miss her and think of her every day, she will remain in our hearts forever.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate her life at 10 a.m. Saturday at Horis A. Ward Funeral Home located at 1355 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain, with Cantor Donna Faye Marcus officiating. The family will receive guests for an hour or so after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Patti-Jo Shapiro Scholarship Fund to be administered by the Lilburn Woman’s Club. Checks can be made out and mailed to the Lilburn Woman’s Club, PO Box 54, Lilburn, GA 30048 or donations can be made online at www.lilburnwomansclub.org.
