Patricia Diane Gavula

Patricia Diane Morgus Gavula, 71, of Butler, died of an extended illness early Tuesday morning, September 20, 2016, at the V.N.A. Inpatient Hospice.

Pat was born September 16, 1945 in Butler, she was a daughter of the late Nick Morgus, Jr. and Olga Sawhook Morgus.

Pat was married to her loving husband, Richard A. Gavula, Sr., whom she married November 30, 1968. She has two incredible children; Jennifer (Paul) Roush of Mars and Richard A. (Christina) Gavula, Jr. of Butler. She was blessed with five beautiful grandchildren who were the “Apple of her Eye”; Emily, Nate, Lauren, Brady, and Lindsay – who all brought her so much joy and happiness. They all referred to her as their “Grammy”.

Her loving immediate family consisted of two brothers: Robert J. (Connie) of St. Peters, MO; Nicholas J. (Nada) of Huntsville, AL; and sister-in-law, Barbara Gavula Whitaker of Franklinton, NC. She has two nieces and five nephews.

Pat graduated from Butler High School and then received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Slippery Rock University. She was a long time Butler elementary school teacher where she taught fourth grade for 36 years at Center Township Elementary School. Mrs. Gavula had a unique ability to connect and inspire children throughout her career as an educator. She enriched and touched so many young student’s lives throughout all those years of teaching leaving a rich legacy at the school. She went on to retire in June of 2003.

Throughout her life she valued and cherished her dearest family/friends and enjoyed many activities together. She was fortunate to have traveled the world and visited 47 countries throughout her life journey. She was an avid reader, possessed gifted hands for cross stitching and embroidery, created countless lifelong memories with her card club girlfriends, and most of all she was her grandchildren’s #1 fan and biggest supporter in all their endeavors. She will always be remembered by her kindness, generosity, and loving spirit.

Friends of Patricia Diane Morgus Gavula will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunningham Street, Butler, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 23rd. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 24th at 10:00 a.m., at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Butler. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Butler.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, her family requests that books be donated to the Library of Center Township Elementary School – please visit http://basdk12.org/page/5287, or that Memorial Donations be made to the V.N.A. Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001.

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