Dr. Patricia “Pat” Marie Zook, DVM, 65, of Decatur, Ga., passed away Sunday, May 29, 2016, after battling cancer, COPD and congestive heart failure.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents Herbert Davenport Zook and Patricia Ann Todd Zook, and her brothers, Dwight Herbert Zook and William Everett Zook.

She is survived by her nephew Everett Todd Zook, her niece Carolyn Suzanne Zook and their families.

Pat was born in Tacoma on Jan. 30, 1951. She grew up in Belton, Texas, and as part of a military family, she moved a lot as a child.

She attended college at Texas A&M University (bachelor’s 1973, DVM 1974), practiced briefly in Jacksonville, Texas, and then moved to the Atlanta, Ga., area where she spent the rest of her life. Pat is remembered professionally for her work in veterinary medicine, with her last place of employment at Gwinnett Animal Hospital.

Pat was a skilled artist and storyteller, and had an abiding love of nature. She loved animals, in particular her pet cats whom she called her “little Zen masters.” Pat was a profoundly spiritual person and was a leader in her religious community.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

A service to celebrate the life of Pat Zook will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at the Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston, GA 30021. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Gwinnett Animal Hospital’s Good Samaritan Fund, 2184 McGee Rd., Snellville, GA 30078.