Jayme Atiyeh Grimaldi, 41, of Clarks Summit, died Thursday, February 10, 2011, at CMC Hospice, after a five-year struggle with cancer. She is survived by her husband of 14 years, Matthew Grimaldi, athletic director at Keystone College; her daughter, Talya, 8; and son, Jake, 6, students at Clarks Summit Elementary.

A graduate of Cedar Crest College with a degree in early childhood education, Jayme grew up in Allentown. Her parents, Dorothy Atiyeh of Macungie, and James Atiyeh, also of Macungie, raised Jayme and her three sisters, Jennifer Atiyeh Ashley of Nazareth; Janine Atiyeh of Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Jenelle Atiyeh of Rutherfordton, N.C.

Jayme is best remembered for her loving spirit, a caring concern for others and an indispensable dedication to her familiy. Despite the pain and adversity caused by the disease that robbed her of her life, Jayme consistently maintained a position of strength and courage that was an inspiration of hope to others. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, eight months after the birth of her second child. Jayme underwent a double mastectomy and multiple courses of chemotherapy at the age of 36. In the summer of 2006, her doctors informed her that she was "cancer free" and she remained that way for three precious years. In the summer of 2009, breast cancer returned, metastasizing in the bones and, more recently, in the liver.

Jayme believed so strongly in fighting cancer and more importantly, finding a cure; she managed to overcome the debilitating effects of constant chemotherapy and radiation to put her limited energy to use for others. In 2009, Jayme attended the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day in Philadelphia, and earlier this year, raised thousands of dollars as a member of the Bosom Buddies who walked in the 3-day in Chicago.

If you were to ask Jayme about the things that were most essential to her life, she would unquestionably answer, "my children." It was not uncommon to find her at the sidelines, championing her children in their basketball, soccer, softball and baseball games. Her home was always a welcome playground for neighborhood friends and family and made time for anyone in need. The essence of Jayme Grimaldi is best captured in a stencil painted on her family room wall: "Friends, love and laughter always welcome."

The funeral will be Monday at 10 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Interment will be private. Friends and family are invited to call Sunday at Our Lady of the Snows, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Morell-LaBelle Funeral Home, Dunmore. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations made out to Matthew Grimaldi, P.O. Box 730, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.