Penny
Donation protected
Good Day to all of you beautiful people our names are Nora and Michelle. We started this GoFundMe to raise funds for one of our dearest friends of nearly 20 years, who has recently became ill. Her name is Pamela “Pam”, “Penny”, “Auntie Penny” Batka, she is a Fighter! We couldn’t think of a more beautiful soul.
Born October 7, 1972- a bright eyed beautiful little girl. Pam grew up in Logan Square, playing with her siblings and friends. She was a smart strong girl that captured the hearts of all her friends at Our Lady of Grace School. Raised in a Catholic family and attending church on Sundays. At 7 years old, little Pam was diagnosed with Childhood Leukemia. She was strong and determined to fight hard. With the strength of her family that is just what she did, there was no giving up. For two years, she didn’t give up and fought hard every day. She spent two long years of treatments and tests at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Then, was flown to Fred Hutchinson Center, in Seattle WA, she spent three months there, where she went through her bone marrow surgery. At 9 years of age, Pam went through a bone marrow surgery (bone marrow donated by her sister Denise). In 1981, Pam went into remission! When she should have been playing outside and running around with family and friends, she was fighting the fight.
As the years passed, she celebrated each year of being in remission. Throughout her High School years at Madonna High School and her early college years at Montay College, she continued to live each day to its fullest. Pam never took a single day for granted. She even made special time to play pranks on her siblings. One prank in particular, was screaming fire while one sister was in the shower. As her sister ran from the house in a towel, Pam and her other siblings could not contain their laughter. She loves to laugh and play jokes on others. She celebrated birthdays, weddings and many other milestones with the ones she loved. But nothing could compare to the joy and love she has for her nieces and nephews. They are her true loves in life and the people she is most proud of. She has taken every opportunity to share a picture, tell a story, and share the accomplishments of her nieces and nephews.
She began working with children and found herself as a Preschool Teacher for All Aboard…Learning Express, Inc. Still celebrating the wonderful life she has been given to live each day. She soon discovered that teaching was her calling. She never wanted to take a day off because she loves the kids so much. When she did take time off, she was always sure to call and check in. For 25 years she shared her generous and kind heart with the many children she taught. She loved to tell them stories, she would open an empty notebook and pretend there were words and pictures in it. She would tell the most amazing stories, the children were mesmerized by the anticipation of what was coming next.
Pam is the life of the party! She is the best friend a person can ask for! Pam loves with all heart. She will give anything to make you smile and assure you everything will be ok. Dancing and singing to “Knock Three Times”, BBQ’s with family and friends, Christmas in July, Toys for Tots Fundraisers, block parties or just a night at the bar, you would find Pam lighting up a room. Her favorite party was the one she threw herself every year to celebrate another year in remission but also to celebrate her family and friends who have been there for her through thick and thin.
Anytime she wanted to go somewhere, she would always say “let’s take my car”, sure enough she would hop in the passenger seat. It was like driving Ms. Daisy, she loved to have others drive her around. But was always willing to give her car for the trip. She loves Halloween, it is her favorite holiday. Every inch of her house has Halloween decorations, Halloween jewelry and clothes. Don’t
forget the books and activities for Halloween to share with her students. Her favorite past time was hanging out with her friends on the weekend.
Today, we reach out to everyone that she loves! Pam needs our love, prayers and support. Pam is in hospice with Cancer in her lymph nodes and several non operable tumors in her brain. The bills are stacking and her family could use our help. If you have just few dollars to help pay medical bills building up and those yet to come, it would be much appreciated. In addition, there will be other unforeseen expenses arising.
Thank you for your time and if you have any questions please let us know and we will be happy to answer them.
Love, Nora and Michelle
Born October 7, 1972- a bright eyed beautiful little girl. Pam grew up in Logan Square, playing with her siblings and friends. She was a smart strong girl that captured the hearts of all her friends at Our Lady of Grace School. Raised in a Catholic family and attending church on Sundays. At 7 years old, little Pam was diagnosed with Childhood Leukemia. She was strong and determined to fight hard. With the strength of her family that is just what she did, there was no giving up. For two years, she didn’t give up and fought hard every day. She spent two long years of treatments and tests at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Then, was flown to Fred Hutchinson Center, in Seattle WA, she spent three months there, where she went through her bone marrow surgery. At 9 years of age, Pam went through a bone marrow surgery (bone marrow donated by her sister Denise). In 1981, Pam went into remission! When she should have been playing outside and running around with family and friends, she was fighting the fight.
As the years passed, she celebrated each year of being in remission. Throughout her High School years at Madonna High School and her early college years at Montay College, she continued to live each day to its fullest. Pam never took a single day for granted. She even made special time to play pranks on her siblings. One prank in particular, was screaming fire while one sister was in the shower. As her sister ran from the house in a towel, Pam and her other siblings could not contain their laughter. She loves to laugh and play jokes on others. She celebrated birthdays, weddings and many other milestones with the ones she loved. But nothing could compare to the joy and love she has for her nieces and nephews. They are her true loves in life and the people she is most proud of. She has taken every opportunity to share a picture, tell a story, and share the accomplishments of her nieces and nephews.
She began working with children and found herself as a Preschool Teacher for All Aboard…Learning Express, Inc. Still celebrating the wonderful life she has been given to live each day. She soon discovered that teaching was her calling. She never wanted to take a day off because she loves the kids so much. When she did take time off, she was always sure to call and check in. For 25 years she shared her generous and kind heart with the many children she taught. She loved to tell them stories, she would open an empty notebook and pretend there were words and pictures in it. She would tell the most amazing stories, the children were mesmerized by the anticipation of what was coming next.
Pam is the life of the party! She is the best friend a person can ask for! Pam loves with all heart. She will give anything to make you smile and assure you everything will be ok. Dancing and singing to “Knock Three Times”, BBQ’s with family and friends, Christmas in July, Toys for Tots Fundraisers, block parties or just a night at the bar, you would find Pam lighting up a room. Her favorite party was the one she threw herself every year to celebrate another year in remission but also to celebrate her family and friends who have been there for her through thick and thin.
Anytime she wanted to go somewhere, she would always say “let’s take my car”, sure enough she would hop in the passenger seat. It was like driving Ms. Daisy, she loved to have others drive her around. But was always willing to give her car for the trip. She loves Halloween, it is her favorite holiday. Every inch of her house has Halloween decorations, Halloween jewelry and clothes. Don’t
forget the books and activities for Halloween to share with her students. Her favorite past time was hanging out with her friends on the weekend.
Today, we reach out to everyone that she loves! Pam needs our love, prayers and support. Pam is in hospice with Cancer in her lymph nodes and several non operable tumors in her brain. The bills are stacking and her family could use our help. If you have just few dollars to help pay medical bills building up and those yet to come, it would be much appreciated. In addition, there will be other unforeseen expenses arising.
Thank you for your time and if you have any questions please let us know and we will be happy to answer them.
Love, Nora and Michelle
Organizer and beneficiary
Nora, Michelle Denise Makowski
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Denise Makowski
Beneficiary