Patricia McCollum's Legacy of Love & Loss of 2 Children

Deronn McCollum is organizing this fundraiser.

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On October 24, 2024, Patricia McCollum (78), DJ McCollum (32), and her beautiful daughter Kaydence (11) lives came to a tragic end.

DJ was a miracle man. Adopted by Ms. Pat as a child, he was not supposed to live past the age of 7 due to severe medical issues from a childhood tragedy that left him with no limbs and more than 90% of his body deformed. He lived beyond his years, 32, because of Ms. Pat's love. He learned to walk and talk providing a goal for him to walk across the stage to receive his diploma. She was his lifeline. She never wanted to separate from her son. She does not have to they are in Heaven together just as she'd written.

Kaydence came to Ms. Pat as an infant. She brought life and joy to a woman who thought she'd adopted her last child until she met this bright little one. She mimicked her Mom —her smile, her laugh, and her heart. Cadence was 11 years old. To soon to leave this life but having had family and an overflow of love here.

Then there was Ms. Pat, a local hero who launched the Off the Streets program, The Buddy Program, fostered hundreds, and loved any person who came in her path.

Memaw, Pat for the People, Patricia McCollum, social worker, Guardian Ad Litem, advocate, trauma trainer for both City and state, and a trainer of foster parents. She was a friend, a former teen mom, the first black playboy bunny in Cincinnati; She was a hero. She advocated for foster youth, trauma victims, the disabled, and teen parents by being a founding board member of Rosemary's Babies Co. She was the President of The Black Social Workers and a member of POCWA. She helped to license 1,000s of foster parents.

She lived her life serving and loving; this is her LEGACY. She leaves this life, less than a week from her 78th birthday, letting everyone know she was here.

Her adopted children, foster children, dozens of grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and Great-great grandchildren, biological son and daughter are grieving for the loss of these three family loved ones. Anthony, who on that morning was overtaken by a mental health breakdown, in a moment of darkness took their lives and then his own. (We forgive him and pray God have mercy on his soul).

In this moment we thank you for your grace, respect, love and kindness via your gift.

At this time, the impact in the community is shattering but this family is left buried under a mountain of heartbreak. Please help them bury four family members. Say their name. Say her name to remember her legacy, Pat for the People.

This amount is an estimation for the burials of our family. We appreciate your support and will update you with the arrangements.