Patricia Ann (Hazlett) Dudek, 63, died Sunday, August 7, 2022 at her home, surrounded by the love of her family and the faith that she is Heaven-bound. Patricia was born on May 23, 1959 to the late Bob and Frances Hazlett in Akron, Ohio. She graduated from St. Vincent-St. Mary high school in 1977 and from The University of Akron with a Bachelor’s degree in Child Life and Child Development in 1982.
A dedicated wife, and mother, Patricia was a homemaker who provided a loving environment for her husband and children, and often their neighbor friends. The Dudek home was frequently the hub for sled riding, cooking in the kitchen, and neighborhood-wide ball games, which Patricia fondly remembered. She loved vacationing with her children and family friends at Hilton Head Island. She was her children’s strongest advocate and biggest sports fan. Patricia was a lifelong volunteer in local schools and the local community. After serving as the coordinator for the Apples for the Students Program for many years, she was honored with the Friend of Children Award. After her children were grown, Patricia lovingly worked with students as a Vision Therapist and found great reward in the success of her students. Her most recent and very favorite role to play in life was that of Gamma/Gaga, in which she excelled and found great joy.
Patricia is survived by her husband Joseph, her 3 children Katherine (Stephen) McCarthy, Christopher (Stephanie), and Brian (Cassandra), and her 7 grandchildren Bridget, Brendan, Daniel, Carter, Erin, Adelin, and Melina. She also leaves behind siblings John (Karen), Paul (Elayne), Mary, Stephen (Janet), and Michael (Diana) as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family is very appreciative for all those who cared for Patricia during her battle with cancer, especially nurse aide Debbie for her care and compassion and the nurses of Cleveland Clinic Hospice, Dr. Krivosheya, and the supportive role Mary Hazlett played.
The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, August 10 from 5 – 8 PM at Queen of Heaven Church at 1800 Steese Rd, Uniontown, OH 44685. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, August 11 at 10 AM, also at Queen of Heaven Church. Memorial donations in memory of Patricia may be made to the Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association (https://wearesrna.org) or St. Vincent- St. Mary High School.
Dear Katie,
I feel like I know your mother through you. Please accept my sympathy and prayers.
Ah my buddy Joe, You know I have been trying to support you as best as I could these past few months and I am so sorry for your grief. If there is anything I can do please let me know brother.
Dear Dudek Family
We are so very sorry for the loss of your dear wife/mother. The obituary is indeed so fitting. She was always a champion of children and a lover of all. How so very proud of all of you was she! Our hearts break and are saddened for you. Please know you are all in our prayers as you grieve her loss and know that she was truly an inspiration to many.
Peace and Love,
Steve and Kathy Schmidt and Family
Joe and family, please accept my condolences of Patty s passing. Cancer is no fun. I have done Relay for Life for over 30 years for a cure. Prayers and thoughts. Jo M Misanko
Chris, please except my deepest sympathy for your loss. My prayers for strength goes out to you and your family at this time in you lives.
Joe, this is Terry Menke, I heard about the passing of your Wife and I am so sorry!! My heart and prayers are with you and your family!!
Dear Jo and Kids,
Our hearts are saddened by the passing of Patty. We have so many fond memories shared of soccer games and school events. She was always supportive of the kids and advocated for educational improvements whenever the need arose. Her energy and determination will be missed. However, her often-expressed love for her family will always be her most remembered gift.
Dear Joe …Please accept my condolences on the passing of your wife. Find strength in your loving memories of her and know your friends everywhere are sending kind wishes and sympathy in this time of grief.
Dear Joe,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and am praying for comfort for you and your family.
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathy on your loss of Patricia. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal, but love a memory that no one can steal.
Thanks, Cathy. We – and especially Patricia’s family – talk so often about going to the flea market and talking with your mom. What a hoot she was!
Sorry for your loss..Prayers to you and your family..Cancer sucks..
Joe, Katie, Christopher & Brian:
Our entire family extends our deepest sympathies to all of you for the loss of your wife / mother. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
May all the wonderful times you shared with Patty / your Mom provide you with countless warm loving memories in the days ahead.
With Sincere Sympathy
So sorry for your loss and deepest sympathy wishes to all of you.
Thank you so much, Lisa! 🖌️🎨
Katie: Our prayers go out to you and your family during this time. Our deepest sympathy to you all and please know that you are certainly in our prayers. God bless you.
Joe, I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your entire family during this difficult time. God Bless, Mark
Joe, Katie, Chris, Brian and Family,
Know that sincere sympathies go your way from the Fedock family. Patty was a wonderful lady, wife, mother and inspiration to all, and Joe, the example you have set is unmatched. I know the past months have NOT been easy. But YOU never even flinched. You did what you had to do. And that is a testimony to the love that you and Patty shared. Trust me, … I know you know what I am talking about!! You have been there for me TWICE in my life in this situation. I hope I can at least be there once in yours. Please know that if there is ANYTHING I can do for any of you, I am here at any time. Again, our prayers and sympathies go out to each of you!!!
Denny
It’s really tough to know what to say about my sister Patricia. I was her only sister, older by exactly 1.5 years. We have 4 brothers – 2 older and 2 younger. There were – and are – lots of arguments between us, as there are in many families. But we have a shared history. With our parents gone, family memories are retained by us. Decades of camping around the country with our artist dad – who can forget him pulling off the road to do a “quick sketch”? Who can forget the dozen+ kinds of Christmas cookies made by mom for us, relatives, and friends? Patricia carried on the cookie tradition for most of her life. Until she married Joe, she and I shared a room; we were so different!
When she was dxed with Glioblastoma in February, I was in shock. She had 2 brain surgeries, and with the exception of a few random words, she never spoke again. I can’t emphasize that enough. Before this cancer, it wasn’t unusual to be tied to the phone for 3 hours with her, unable to gracefully hang up.
After 4 months in the hospital and rehab, she came home in early June with hospice. Katie has told those stories. I visited and sat with Patricia often, talking to her and also watching Gunsmoke. We watched that show growing up. Since I primarily watch news, I scrolled through programming one afternoon to find something, and saw Gunsmoke listed. P seemed to focus on it, so most afternoons I was there, we watched that western (longest running TV drama at 20 years). I feel she and I had a time of peace during these months. I often told her what great parents she and Joe were because of how wonderful their kids turned out to be. I also reminded her how much her 7 grandkids truly loved her. Bridget, 8, struggled with Gamma being in rehab, saying she just wanted to visit her at home. When Gamma went home, all of the grandkids were over all of the time. They’d give Patricia hugs, watch Paw Patrol beside her while holding her hand, said bedtime prayers in her room before going home to bed, and were just comfortable dealing with this new reality. As her sister, unmarried and childless, I am so happy she could spend these many hours surrounded by her grandchildren – and equally glad they could show her love and themselves organically learn compassion.
I’m glad I’ve had these months, painful though they’ve been, to come to a place of acceptance that death was coming for her. I reminded her that Mom and Dad were waiting for her on the other side and she’d be “born” to them yet again.
Rest In Peace, Patricia. As Dad said often, birth is terminal.
My dear Joe: I was so sorry to hear of Patty’s passing. I remember how bubbly and happy she was! When I first met her, she was truly into you, and I’m sure that did not change in all these years! My prayer is for you and your family to find peace in her passing and remember the treasure she was. Sounds like she was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma and educator. God bless you all. Love, Patty