Patricia Ann Stark, age 57, departed this life and joined our Heavenly Father on January 4, 2014. Patricia was born on December 8, 1956 in Kansas City, Missouri to Billy Alvin Wolf and Anita Janet (Curran) Wolf. Her parents and her son, Shane Michael Hickey, have preceded her in death. She grew up in Kansas City and attended Northeast High School. Patricia reconnected with her childhood friend, Jack; sparks flew and they were married on September 20, 1980. Patricia earned her GED on November 22, 1983, then received a Diploma of Computer Operations and Computer Procedures and became a dispatcher for the Belton Police Department in 1985. She followed her passion for food by earning her Certificate of Merit at the Method of Cake Decorating and her Certificate for Management Training from TCBY in 1989. She served up some down-home cooking for the students at Mid-America Nazarene College for a few years, and in 1995, Patricia became the proud owner of her own business, Creative Solutions catering and service. She put smiles on the faces of so many of her clients as a cake decorator, and was promoted to Bakery Manager for Cosentino Family Grocers, where she worked for 10 years before retiring in 2006.
Patricia’s life was one of dedication to family, friends and animals. She opened her home many times for those who needed a place to live and some compassion. She always made sure that everyone in the family had a little something under the tree at Christmas, even if it was just their favorite bottle of hair conditioner or a fun soup bowl from the Dollar Store. And so many times, Patricia would care for the animals of neighbors and feed strays to make sure they didn’t go hungry. She was the first person at a party to stand up and start swaying and singing when a favorite song started and, oftentimes, the one who would help with the dishes to make sure the hosts didn’t have to do them. And when there was a difficult time in life, she was always there to sit with you and offer prayers for a good outcome. She was selfless in many ways that will not soon be forgotten.
One of the most profound ways in which she contributed to our family was with her cakes. There is not a single family member that won’t remember the cake she created for them on that special occasion, always doing more than necessary to make the cake special.
Patricia spent her retirement down on “the Farm” in Osceola, Missouri, with her husband, where they were able to enjoy nature, their beloved pets, and a slower pace of life.
Patricia is survived by her husband of 33 years, Jack Stark of Osceola, Missouri; her children, Coral (Hickey) Jeffries of Blue Springs, Missouri, Chelsie (Stark) Finger of Kansas City, Missouri; two brothers, Bill Wolf of Kansas City, Missouri, and Michael Wolf of Kansas City, Missouri; four sisters, Mary (Wolf) Cawthon of Odessa, Missouri, Linda Wolf of Kansas City, Missouri, Laura (Wolf) Juiliano of Pleasant Hill, Missouri and Helen (Wolf) Bone of Foristell, Missouri; her Aunt, Joan Cone of Olathe, Kansas; two grandchildren, Sarah Cohen of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Meghan Cohen of Blue Springs, Missouri. She also leaves a host of other relatives, and friends who mourn their loss but know it is Heaven’s gain. Her prayers and influence will live on in their hearts for years to come.
The family would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to each person who provided kindness in either word or deed during the illness and after the death of our beloved Patricia.
Leave a Reply