Dr. Teleka Patrick Obituary Teleka Cassandra Patrick was born to Pastor Mattahais and Irene Patrick on September 18, 1983 at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC. She was the prayed for child, so delicately and wonderfully formed by God, and delivered by Dr. Lennox Westney. She spent her first two years in Hyattsville, Maryland before relocating to Queens, New York where she grew up with her parents and two siblings, Matthias (Eddie) and Tenesha. Teleka was tender-hearted, loving and lively from the beginning and she shared many happy days with her parents, siblings, cousins and friends. Her early years were rich with travels, church trips, school trips and family fun times. She learned to play the piano and violin at an early age and attended numerous recitals at music schools, church and family special events, nursing homes, concert halls and other places with her siblings. She gained many valuable lessons during her violin training at the Music Institute of Long Island (and at the piano studio), receiving several certificates and awards in instrumental music. These performances of love and kindness planted in Teleka the seeds of caring, sharing, devotion to others, and inspired her to want to become a missionary. She began reading at age two and a half, and her love for books resulted in her becoming an avid reader. Her parents nurtured her early quest for learning and therefore enrolled her in Kindergarten at PS 147 Ronald McNair School in Queens, New York. Throughout her elementary school years, 1989 to 1996 at Linden SDA School, she excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. She received awards for reading, spelling, math, science, marathons, talent shows, and she earned her way on the Principal's List each year. Teleka won the Semper Paratus Annual Spelling Bee award for three consecutive years, the Greater Metropolitan New York Math Fair award, and the Northeastern Conference of Education Science Award in 1995. She matriculated from Linden SDA School with highest honors. Teleka again excelled and obtained awards for math, Spanish and biology during her years at the Bronx High School. In 1997-1998 she was listed in Who's Who among American High School Students, and in 2000 she received the following awards: Elspeth Krober Award for Biology Research; Bronx High School of Science Research - St. John's Symposium; Physical Science Journal 'Reactions,' and Excellence in the Study of Spanish. Her strength in the sciences bolstered her decision to become a medical research scientist. Thus began her matriculation at Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) in the Fall of 2000. Teleka diligently pursued her academic goals at Oakwood University and earned her Bachelor's Degrees in Theology and Biology in 2004. Additionally, she earned the Oakwood College Scholastic Award for three consecutive years and the Oakwood College United Student Movement: USM Senator Award for 2000-2001. Embarking on college life away from her siblings, Teleka renewed connections with God and formed new connections with college mates. One of her journal entries reads: 'My fundamental presupposition about life is that God is most important. That I should please Him in my living is my perspective, based on that presupposition. Accordingly, prayer, Bible study and witnessing are priorities in my life.' Further, she added, 'My image of God is rich. He is a loving, merciful, accepting, and benevolent Father. He loves me so much. That's why he takes care of me every day. He is also a high and exalted God who should be worshipped - just because He is God.' She also said, 'Thanks God, that I belong to You. J There are lots of words to say and I don't know which ones will make your day - But I'm just a little kid - a little girl - a little squirt - a little tot - in awe of You, Lord. Love Ya! J xoxo' A friend reflecting on his college years with Teleka writes, 'We would talk about everything: theology, assignments, relationships, future plans, etc. I was having a really hard time that year. I had a bad case of senioritis and was going through some really difficult personal issues. I wasn't handling things well and was having my worst semester academically and socially. Yet those walks and talks were like water to my soul. She only sought to encourage me and lift me up. And that's exactly what she did. I'm certain she helped me more than I helped her.' Teleka began her graduate studies at Loma Linda University in June 2004 where she completed research on Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia and Survival Disparity among African American Women with Breast Cancer, the latter being her research focus. Her journey was long and sometimes bumpy but she persevered to accomplish her goal of a medical degree and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. She received funding for her research from the Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, as well as from the National Institutes of Health. Her passion to become a child psychiatrist took her to Western Michigan University School of Medicine. Her time there was cut short by her untimely death. Teleka was compassionate, encouraging and always offered a positive outlook on any situation. She was good-natured, peaceful, good-humored, and generous. We will miss her beautiful smile, warm personality and sound wisdom which she shared liberally with others. She leaves her parents, siblings, grandfather and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, church family and acquaintances to mourn our loss, to cherish her memory, and to continue her legacy of caring. Teleka is now sleeping in Jesus until we meet again! Services are entrusted to WALDON Professional Funeral & Cremation Services which is located at 710 Lexington Green Lane in Sanford, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you please donate to their legal expense fund. Send donations to the following address: Mattahais & Irene Patrick P.O. Box 450812 Kissimmee, Florida 34745-0812 Kristy M. Waldon, MBA Funeral Director in Charge To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Teleka Cassandra Patrick please visit our Sympathy Store.