Pat Tope

Pat Scheetz Tope, 86, of Lutz FL; homegoing was August 27, 2021, at Rucki Hospice Care Center in Zephyrhills FL. She was born October 13, 1934, in Clay County IL to Opal Anna DeWeese and Howard William Scheetz.

She grew up in Flora IL, graduated from Flora High School in 1952, and moved to Tampa FL in 1956. She worked at Barnett Bank, then Winn Dixie’s office where she retired.

Pat married the love of her life, Leon, in 1973; they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary before he passed. They enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and Canada, to Europe, and sailed on 13 cruises; after his homegoing, she made one more cruise with friends from the church group, In His Image.

She was well known among friends and acquaintances as a vibrant, social, fun-loving, Christian woman. She definitely had the gift of hospitality! She played the piano at numerous churches, accompanied Leon when he sang, and collected owls.

Pat is predeceased by Leon; children, Peggy Roberts and Jerry Phillips; brother, Donald Scheetz; and her parents. She is survived by daughter, Ava Lynette (Charles) DeCarlo; grandchildren, Kate (Jesse) Trammell, John Roberts, Karyl (Juan) Trejo, Joe Roberts, Patrick (Alissa) DeCarlo, Amber (Alvin) Olavarria Marti, Sean DeCarlo, and Mary DeCarlo; five great-grandchildren including Hudson DeCarlo; sister, Dena (Dan) Martin; sister-in-law, Diane Scheetz; nieces and nephews, Darrin Martin, Don Chip Scheetz Jr, Cheri Crews, and Kevin Scheetz; several grandnieces and grandnephews; and special friends, Ava Jones, Diane Scheetz, Phyllis Thomas, Scott & Jan Agema, and Sue Boda.

A graveside service will be held at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell FL, September 7, at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, Pat requested memorial gifts be made to Idlewild Baptist Church (18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd, Lutz FL 33548) or Hope Children’s Home (11415 Hope International Dr, Tampa FL 33625).