Obituary of Patricia A. Moldovan

Patricia A. "Pat" Moldovan, 80, of Memory Gardens, formerly of Howard Ave. W.E., passed away at 7:22 am, Monday (July 16, 2012) in the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center. A lifelong area resident, she was born October 29, 1931 in Jamestown, the daughter of the late Stephen T. and Dorothy B. Atkinson Andrzejewski. Pat was a 1949 graduate of Jamestown High School and received her bachelor's degree from Buffalo State University. She obtained her master's degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia. Before her retirement in 1992, she was employed by the Southwestern Central School System as an elementary school teacher. She began her teaching career in 1953 working in the Charles Street and Bush Schools and then taught at the former Celoron Elementary School for many years retiring from Southwestern Middle School. She was a lifelong communicant of Holy Apostles Parish at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, where she was one of 4 generations of her family to be married in the same church. She was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for over 40 years, serving as chairwoman of the "What's New Fair" for several years. Pat was also a life member of the National Education Association (NEA) where she served on the Board of Director's, was named a New York State Representative, and served on the Congressional Contact Team, where she worked with former state leaders Amo Houghton and Patricia McGee. She was also a long time member of the New York State Retired Teachers Association, the Southwestern Teachers Association (STA) the Lakewood Women's Club, the Fortnightly Club, and the Jamestown Concert Association. Pat was a proud 1999 graduate of the Chautauqua Literacy and Scientific Circle (CLSC) of Chautauqua Institution. Pat was an avid reader of every type of book - especially historical novels and mysteries - and belonged to many area book clubs over the years. She had a keen sense and love of history and was a member of The Smithsonian, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and the Drayton Hall Restoration Project in Charleston, SC. Pat's other big love was traveling. Over her lifetime, she visited almost all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. Her travels took her to all of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and was one of the first tour groups to visit Russia after the Cold War. One of her favorite trips was to Disney World with her grandchildren, where, ever the teacher, she insisted on visiting Epcot Center and the Animal Kingdom. She will be remembered as a loving and caring Mom and Nana who loved spoiling her family. Pat was an excellent gourmet cook who truly enjoyed entertaining her family and friends -especially the Supper Club gang. Surviving are two daughters Micki (Rex) McCray, Julie Wootten both of Jamestown; two grandchildren Shannon (Bryan) Olson of Jamestown and Michael (Ryan Hastings) McCray of Chicago; two great grandchildren, Emma and Trent Olson of Jamestown; a brother, David (Joan) Andrzejewski of Elburn, IL, a sister-in-law Carol Moldovan of Sheffield, PA and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her husband Michael T. Moldovan, whom she married August 22, 1953 and who died June 23, 1975 and her son-in-law, John T. Wootten who died June 10, 2010. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Friday at Holy Apostles Parish, SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home, where a Christian Wake Service will be led by Rev. Mende at 3:45 pm Thursday. Memorials may be made to the James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St. Jamestown, NY 14701, The American Association of University Women Scholarship Fund, Jamestown Branch, Jamestown Community College, Financial Aid Office, 525 Falconer St., Jamestown, NY 14701 or to a charity of one's choice.