Patricia A. Hennis

Patricia A. "Pat" Hennis, 85, of Dover died Thursday afternoon, July 28, 2011 in Aultman Hospital at Canton following a brief illness

Pat was part of the first class of licensed nursing home adminstrators, and along with her late husband, Harry D. Hennis, operated the Hennis Care Centre at Dover. The family has owned and operated the centre since 1947.

Born January 21, 1926 in Canton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Hazel (Smith) Shurtz. Pat was a 1944 graduate of Canton Lincoln High School.

Pat was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Dover since 1951. She was also a member of the former Tuscarawas Order of Eastern Star in Dover, Triosis Ladies Guild in Canton, and the Ohio Health Care Association, and recently established a scholarship in the name of Harry and Patricia Hennis for the Association. She enjoyed drawing and ceramics, was a beautiful seamstress, and loved listening to "Big Band" music. She also looked forward to playing Euchre with friends in her card club, which was together for over fifty years. She also enjoyed numerous family gatherings.

The well-being of others was a priority to Pat. She saw to the needs of children and grandchildren, and people were always welcome at her dinner table. Over the years, she opened her home to her nephews, to the children of family friends who had moved away to allow the children to finish high school at a familiar school, and to exchange students. Pat strongly believed in helping others, children and adults alike, subtly or directly, with food, clothing, finances, education, friendship, or a place to stay. The Dress-a-Child and Share-A-Christmas progams were very important to her as well.

On August 17, 1951, she married Harry D. Hennis, with whom she celebrated forty-four years of marriage prior to his death on August 21, 1995. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Dan Shurtz.

She will be sadly missed by her four children Kathy (Keith) Marburger of Dover, David (Patty) Hennis of Fairlawn, Paula (Dr. David) Sickinger of Dover and Elena "Ellen" Hennis of Cuyahoga Falls; nine grandchildren Matthew and Cara Marburger, Andrew, Megan, and Brian Hennis, Daniel, Christina, and Sammy Sickinger, and Maria Schwabland.

Pat's life will be celebrated Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 11:00a.m. in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover with Rev. Richard Plant of the Eastern Ohio Association, United Church of Christ, officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Garden of Peace Mausoleum at Dover Burial Park. Friends will be received Monday from 1:00-3:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Pat may sign the online guestbook by visiting the "obituaries" link on the funeral home website.

Memorial contributions may be made to T-4-C Share A Christmas, 1459 5th St. N.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663

TOLAND-HERZIG, DOVER
330 343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com