Patricia Ann Bodnar of Canton, Ohio, a beloved wife, mother, sister, and teacher, passed away peacefully in Evanston, Illinois, surrounded by family on Saturday, August 2nd. She was 83.

Born in 1941 in Canton, Pat grew up on a farm in Carrollton, Ohio, where her lifelong love of nature, and everything in it, took root. She was the oldest of four children, and led the charge when it came to family responsibilities and chores. She learned early that hard work bears fruit and this work ethic stayed with her throughout her life.

Pat was a good student and in high school was inspired by a math teacher to become a math teacher. Without family funds to pay for college, Pat secured a job at the local grocery store and spent her free time working, saving, and planning. After graduating from Carrollton High School, she continued to work at the store while attending Kent State University. She was the first person in her family to attend college.

Pat started her teaching career at Louisville High School. While teaching, she met Ed, a teacher and coach, and in 1966, they began a 59-year marriage that was anchored in faith. They were members of St. Mary's Parish in Canton, where Pat also served as a lector and catechist. Together, they raised three girls. After time off for family, she continued teaching at Stark State College until retirement. Pat was a determined woman who paved ways, becoming the first woman elected to the Canton Local School Board of Education.

Pat was quiet by nature, and lived life with unwavering humility, honesty, and pragmatism. Everyone who knew her would say that she created beautiful homes, was a great cook, and had many artistic talents. She made the First Holy Communion dress that all three of her daughters wore. Her greatest joys included spending time with her children, her grandchildren, her sisters, and tending to her meticulous flower gardens while enjoying the birds and animals. Pat even coaxed a stray cat to become the family pet.

Pat and Ed lived most of their years in Canton, but in retirement they discovered a sunny spot in Sarasota, Florida, and enjoyed a second home there during the cold Ohio winters.

Pat is preceded in death by her mother, Ila Vere Schweyer, father, Harland Schweyer, and brother, Harley Schweyer. She is survived by husband Edward Bodnar, daughters, Diane Nelson (John), Paula Schmitt (Tim), and Julie Cahillane (Kevin) and 7 grandchildren: Jonathon (Kaylee) and Crystal Nelson, Harland and Weston Schmitt, and Emma, Jayson, and Eric Cahillane as well as great grandchildren Emilia and Rowan Nelson. And her sisters, who were her lifelong best friends, Joan Dyke (David) and Kathy Duerr (Don) and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be private for immediate family only. For letters of condolence, please send to Ed Bodnar at 1611 Chicago Avenue, Apartment 410, Evanston, Illinois, 60201. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Pat's honor to Cat Depot in Sarasota, Florida, where she was a volunteer to cats awaiting adoption.