Obituary of Patricia Ann Tomlinson

Patricia Ann Tomlinson was born May 27, 1957 to Rosetta Banks and Waverly Cheeks Sr. in Camden, NJ. A true Camden Native, Patricia attended her beloved H.B. Wilson Elementary, Morgan Village Middle and graduated class of 1975 from the mighty “Castle on the Hill”. Married to Brian Tomlinson on May 26, 1990, Brian was the “peanut butter” to Pats “jelly”! Even Thunder, Simba and Laker were part of their duo. Brian would frequently call Pat and sing Stevie Wonders “I just called to say I love you, and I mean it from the bottom my heart!”. Their boardwalk strolls, Friday night date nights, 4 AM fishing trips and inseparable love were such inspirations! Despite losing both her parents and grandparents, Pat built a beautiful legacy of love that lives today with her church and family. Pat's siblings, Margorie Brooks, Paul Cheeks, Waverly “Butchie” Cheeks Jr. (Deceased) and Michael Banks (Deceased) were her “first friends”, but if you knew Ms. Pat, she made easy friends everywhere she went! In 1976 Patricia began working in the Nutritional Services Department with Cooper University Health System. For three years, she blessed the department with her beautiful spirit and later moved to the Medical Records Department. A quick learner and amazingly devoted asset to the company Patricia quickly advanced to the Trauma Unit where she was coined the “Matriarch of Trauma” and the “Godmother of the Department”. For many years, after the loss of her “E.Z.”, Patricia cohosted the annual “Snowflake Ceremony”. From her years at Cooper, Patricia became “Super sisters” with many but especially fond of Rhonda “Greeta “Clifton, Mary Lachant, Dr. Steven Ross, Dr. Glenn Newell, Dr. Mike Kelly, Sharon Doss, Jill Salvatore Kathy Divine, Katrina Chapman, Bob Marburger, Greg (work husband) & Stacey Staman. Patricia was well known for her “Sharp” dressing (a red, black and white ensemble or anything orange), huge heart for people and her helpful nature. She was a ball of organized energy. Pats love for music and good entertainment of all types was unmatched. Her favorites included “Zoom” and “Favorite Things” she loved to enjoy the movies “This Christmas”, and “ Oceans Eleven” Pat could cook a “mean” meal and she had a taste for good food. Her favorite meal was “Juicy” Baked Chicken, String beans and Jersey ripe tomatoes. Patricia's life purpose was shown through her devotion to God, her family, work, and giving back to her community. A member of the Antioch Baptist Church, devoted to the health awareness ministry, she would host fairs, maintain the ministry's bulletin board, and most of all, had the desire to assist with reducing health disparities. Patricia was blessed with 3 sisters-in-love (Lynette Tomlinson, Pooh Ross (Deceased ),Francine Kearney); 3 brothers-in-love (Marvin &Lamont Tomlinson, Robert Lee); 6 nieces and 4 nephew (Corey Cheeks (Deceased) (Margorie), Stacey Cheeks (Margorie), Danielle & Monique Cheeks (Paul), Kanice & Ambria Thomas (Lynette), Robert ,Eugene ,Diana & Anthony Ross (Pooh) (Deceased); “supermom” (Alta Monk); Godson (Ahmad Davis); Honorary children (Lamont Monroe & LeKeisha Stanley) Honorary grand children (Carlos Santiago and Sage Stanley ); a host of Aunts & Uncles ,Cousins and Friends including her “special sisters” (Michelle Hailey, Sharon Davis, Marilyn Washington, Kathy Wall & Patricia Evans). Pat’s 2 grandchildren (QuaShaun) “Qua” Wright (Ezekiel) & Zanai “Trixie” Syms (LaCisha), were her pride and joy. Quashaun, a 22-year-old scholar who continues to excel as he follows the kind-hearted and resilient footsteps of his father and wisdom and courage of his mom-mom Pat. Trixie, 11-year-old whose intelligence, beauty and eye for fashion grow more like her mom-mom Pat every day. Although Patricia could light up any room she entered, the true lights of her life were here children. She had two beautiful children, Ezekiel “E.Z” Lee Ford Jr. (Deceased) and LaCisha “Cish Weesh’’Denise Laws. Any memories that her children can recall were all laced with love, compassion and a drive that allowed their lives to be overrun with hope. Patricia stated, in an article about the struggles her son was facing, “Everything good requires sacrifice. We take things one day at a time with love and we will get through them just fine”. Patricia was the caregiver for “E.Z.” for many years as he battled Sickle Cell Anemia. She selflessly gave her time and energy to his care, while never missing a beat with her “Cish”. Two peas in a pod, Cish and E.Z. took lessons from their mother and watched her consistent love and faith hold the family together. Many pictures of their family home showed the struggles and the triumphs, a visual lesson Patricia hoped to instill in her children. Patricia understood the complexity of life and she rejoiced in every moment she had. She could be found in the garden cultivating life, in her kitchen making a feast, or on the dance floor making circles around the best of them. In all things, Patricia’s loyalty and presence were unwavering. Her legacy as a Servant of God, Mother, Wife, Aunt, Cousin, Niece, Friend and Phenomenal Woman will live on. Lovingly submitted, Your Daughter