Patrice Cardwell

Patrice Antoinette Cardwell (née Gilreath), passed away in her home after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer on April 12, 2023. Her family is deeply saddened by her sudden death. Patrice was born on October 27, 1986, to Pat and Larry Gilreath in Omaha, NE. In her childhood Patrice (aka Tonie), was adorably sweet and would often create songs to encourage others to be the same; including “Shake a hand, be a friend.” Patrice was an active child and played basketball and soccer; she also played tennis at Central High School. Patrice loved acting and singing and was an active part of Zion Baptist Church’s youth choir and theater ministries, as well as the New Era youth choir and theater ministries. She also participated in Young Gifted and Black at the Rose Theater. After graduating from Central High School in 2005, she attended Wayne State College where she met some of her best friends and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Human Services. After college, she worked as a counselor for several companies, and was pursuing her Masters in Counseling from Bellevue University at the time of her death. At Central High School, Patrice met Jeremy Cardwell, her husband and partner in life. They reunited after college and have been married for 10 years. They share a beautiful daughter, Kamryn Elizabeth Louise Cardwell. Patrice had the biggest heart and the most beautiful smile. She was sassy but kind, and also very witty and fun! She was fearless and independent, yet sensitive and incredibly compassionate. She loved counseling people, especially teens, and encouraging them to be their absolute best. Patrice loved spending time with her daughter, and nieces and nephews (and entire family). She loved dinner and movie dates with her siblings, dance parties, shopping, road trips, Whitney Houston, Christmas movies, any tv show by Dick Wolf, cooking, Jazz on the Green, singing, working at church, watching and playing sports, and so many other things that made her so amazing. Patrice was predeceased by her grandparents Clara and Loyd Lafayette, and Willa Gilreath (aka Granny) Patrice will be greatly missed by her husband Jeremy, their daughter, Kamryn; parents Pat Gilreath and Larry Gilreath (Tama); siblings Paige Gilreath, LeClara Gilreath, Loyd Gilreath, Larry Gilreath (Otisha), Josh Staple (Jenny), Tanisha Gilreath, and Detra Gilreath (Kal) and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, who love her fiercely. Patrice loved love, in all its forms. She loved to receive it, she loved to watch experience it, and most importantly, she loved to give love. “When we lose someone we love we must learn not to live without them, but to live with the love they left behind.” –Unknown

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