Patricia Lee Hunter

Patricia (Pat) Lee Hunter nee Gentry, age 79, of Dyer, IN entered the gates of Heaven on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years Ronald Hunter. Loving mother of Mark (Sharon) Hunter and Keith (Lori) Hunter. Cherished grandmother of Lauren (Danny) Blount, Ryan Hunter, triplets: Aaron, Brad and Chelsey Hunter. Great grandmother of Brettelynn and Maxson Blount. Preceded in death by her parents Leroy and Pearl Gentry and her dear sisters Margaret Deutsch and Sandra (Darrel) Chenore. Pat loved her family and enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow-up. She enjoyed watching her sons and husband struggle at golf, a sport she thought was "stupid." But around age 60, she took up golf and was hooked for life. She played in the "18 Holers" ladies league at Briar Ridge Country Club, and enjoyed playing courses around the country with her husband and sister Peg. She grew up in Hammond; attending St. Paul''s Lutheran School and graduated from Hammond High in 1955. She attended many reunions through the years with her classmates, and still had a number of close friends from the schools. Pat went on and became a very accomplished and active individual. She was an avid reader and student, graduating with Honors and first in her class at St. Luke''s Hospital Nursing School in Chicago earning a Diploma in Nursing (1958). Later she earned her Bachelor''s Degree in Nursing from Purdue University Calumet (1973), where she graduated with Highest Distinction. Finally she earned a Masters of Health Science, Nursing from Governor''s State University (1977). She began her professional career in 1958, working as a Surgical Scrub Nurse at Home Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana where her first son was born and she supported her husband Ron as he finished his engineering degree at Purdue University in 1960. After moving back to the Calumet Region, she worked at the Hammond Clinic, where her mother Pearl Gentry also worked. Pat was employed as a float nurse to Medical, Surgical Units at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Dyer until 1973. She acted as relief Charge Nurse on a Medical Unit for her last five years there. Pat loved to serve others through her nursing, but in 1973 she began a new journey that defined her life''s work and passion as a professor. In 1973, Pat began as a classroom and clinical instructor of Freshman nursing at Prairie State College. She became Coordinator of Nursing, serving in administrative and teaching roles. In 1984 she became Interim Dean of Hygiene and EMT Programs. In 1992 she was elected Chair of Health and Chair of Nursing, Dental Hygiene and EMT Programs. She also was elected President of the Faculty Senate, and President of Illinois AD Directors of Nursing. In 1998 she was appointed Associate Dean of Allied Health and Nursing. Finally, she retired after 26 years of fulfilling service. Her work was far from over, however, as she continued to consult at both Prairie State and Purdue University Calumet to develop new programs for Surgical Technicians and Nursing. Pat was also a member of Franciscan Home Health Committee from 2002 until she passed. She was a past member of the Surgical Tech Advisory Committee Prairie State College and the South Suburban Hospital Council. Between the two colleges, over the course of her career and in retirement, Pat served on numerous committees, received awards and had professional memberships, too many to mention. In retirement, Pat headed down many different roads. While always active in leadership at her beloved Trinity Lutheran Church, as an Officer and teacher, in retirement she served as Treasurer and was active with her mother Pearl in Trinity''s Dorcas society. She also had a group of church family that she enjoyed playing Bunco with. But, Pat and Ron moved from Munster to Dyer in 1995. Politics became her new calling for service to her community. Eventually, Pat became an appointed member of the Dyer Town Council. In 2002 she was appointed to the Town of Dyer Planning Commission, where she was a commissioner until she passed. Pat loved the Town of Dyer and enjoyed helping frame many visions for its future. She would spend hours researching plans, options and opportunities for the Town''s development. Visitation Sunday, January 17, 2016 from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home (2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN). A remembrance and worship service will be held Monday, January 18, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church 7227 Hohman Ave. Hammond, Indiana. Viewing will be from 1000 - 10:30 a.m., followed by the worship service at 10:30 a.m. Interment at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville, IN will follow the worship service finishing with lunch at Tiebels Restaurant in Schererville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that Memorial contributions be given to Trinity Lutheran Church. For further information please contact 219-322-7300.