Raised in Tribute:
$2220.75Patricia “Pat” Slezak, beloved mother, grandmother, wife, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2024, at the age of 78. Born on September 20, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, Pat graduated from Our Lady of Pilar, where she was the captain of the basketball team, and went on to graduate from Pace University. She married the love of her life, Bill Slezak, and together they raised two sons, Mark and Doug.
Pat stayed home with her boys while they were young but, determined to continue her education, she returned to school at night to earn her master’s degree. She later became a dedicated school counselor at Washington Middle School, where she guided and supported countless students.
Pat was courageous, bravely battling Parkinson’s disease for many years while staying as active as possible. Her strength and resilience inspired all who knew her. She loved to walk, cherished her friendships, and had a deep love for chocolate and the theater. She also had a passion for art and spent several years enjoying watercolor painting, finding beauty and expression through her creativity.
One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren, teaching them how to cook desserts and creating sweet memories. She adored Madison and Sydney, daughters of Mark, and Avila and Theo, children of Doug, and showered them with love and wisdom.
Pat leaves behind a legacy of strength, kindness, and cherished memories.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today. The Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, with more than $800 million in high-impact research funded to date.
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