Patricia Hudzina Obituary

Ever the night owl, Sept. 17, 2024, in the wee hours of the morning, Patricia Ellen Hudzina (Phillips), 82, of Scranton, peacefully joined her Prince (Eugene) in the grace of God's love. For the past two years Patricia had fought courageously against cancer to spend more time with her family before being called to God's side.

Born to the late Russell and Helen Phillips (O'Hora) on Oct. 12, 1941, Patricia came into this world with a smile on her face that was as infectious as it was constant. She graduated from South Catholic High School (1959), and furthered her education at Marywood College, and eventually earned her master's degree in history from the University of Scranton. Her desire to learn, share knowledge and help others was insatiable, which fueled her true passion which was teaching.

If there was a class to be taught, Patricia was ready to teach it. She spent years forging young minds in the Scranton School District. When it was time for a new challenge, she spent her days teaching first and third grade at the Scranton Hebrew Day School. Never to shy away from adventure-based enrichment, she taught GED courses at the Lackawanna County Jail to those wishing to better themselves. Then in 1990, she found her forever school-home at Scranton Preparatory School. Nothing brought her more joy than walking the halls and teaching young minds in the Jesuit way. She concentrated on courses teaching Latin, and Myth & Epic and chaired the Classic department during her tenure.

Patty was fond of a straight up Manhattan, a perfect slice of carrot cake and the Sunday morning paper. She would spend countless hours in conversation, where you always felt like the most important person in the room. She perfected making chicken with dumplings and her apple pie will be on tables for generations to come. She had a vocabulary like no other filled with words that never truly existed outside of our home or the classroom and rarely if ever uttered a curse. She was the epitome of the word "Mom" and then "Nanni." You could call her at midnight, or six a.m. and she would never blink an eye. Every time you went out, she knew multiple people that crossed her path and never forgot their name.

Teaching for 52 years, she had the opportunity to touch countless lives, easily into the thousands. Not a bad legacy to leave behind. She loved every student who came through her door and shared her passion for language, learning and history. You were a gift to her in ways that only she could comprehend, even those of you who spent time in Jug.

Surviving are daughters, Kathryn; Beth Beck and husband, Joe; and son, Gene and wife, Samantha; grandchildren, Joe, Josh, Abigail, Annabelle and Bradley; great-grandchildren, Chase, Noah, Charlee, Luna, Dev; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by sister, Donna Eskin.

The funeral will be conducted Saturday from the Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave., with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Queen of Angels Parish at St. Michael's Church, 320 First Ave., Jessup., celebrated by Patricia's godson, Reverend Gerard M. McGlone. All attending the Mass are kindly asked to proceed directly to church. Entombment in Cathedral Cemetery Mausoleum will be private. Friends and family may pay their respects Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Scranton Preparatory School, 1000 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

Please visit the funeral home website for information or to send an online condolence.