Patricia L. Szczur, 72, of Grafton

50

Obit Patricia L. SzczurGrafton – Patricia L.”Pat” Szczur, a long-time friend of and activist for those in need of a helping hand in Grafton, died at home Friday, Aug. 5, 2016 following a long illness. She was 72 years old.

Born Dec. 9, 1943 in Dudley, she was the daughter of the late Theresa (Dupre) and Stanley Antkowiak.

After graduating from Bartlett High School, class of 1961, Pat dedicated her life to caring for others through nursing. She earned her registered nursing degree from Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing and then worked at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit before teaching at her alma mater and then pursuing her goal of bring a visiting nurse.

In October 1969, Pat married her soulmate, Albert Szczur Jr., who shared her love of science and music. Together, they attended several Industrial Hygiene Conferences in Montreal, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Florida. They also enjoyed cruising and traveled to Aruba every year. Annual family camping trips with Al and their two young daughters at Cape Cod’s Nickerson State Park were among her prized family memories.

Later in life, Pat returned to the ICU and attended classes at Assumption College to obtain a Medical Management Certificate. She also worked at Central Mass Health Care as a Utilization Review Nurse and continued her education to become a Certified Nurse Case Manager, which led to a 13-year career at today’s Hanover Insurance Company as a Workers’ Compensation Nurse Case Manager before her retirement in 2006.

Following her husband’s death in 2008, Pat once again answered the call to help her community by becoming a Parish Nurse at her beloved St. Mary’s Church in North Grafton. In addition to being the Parish Nurse, she gave her time to the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the Visiting Eucharistic Ministry, and the Bereavement Committee. She also was active with the Grafton Public Health Department and Emergency Medical Corp.

Pat’s legacy is that of a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and advocate. She spent her life caring for others in her community and her church.

She is survived by her daughters, Karen A. Szczur and Amy B. Szczur; her granddaughter, Amanda C. Prescott; her brother, Raymond Antkowiak and his wife Priscilla; her sister-in-law, Maureen Antkowiak; many nieces and nephews; and a community of grateful friends, including her beloved dog, Ginger. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her siblings, Dorothy Gelineau, Frank Antkowiak, Alice Millette, Barabara George, Stanley Antkowiak Jr, and Richard Antkowiak.

In Pat’s memory please honor her with a donation to The COPD Foundation, 3300 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Miami, FL 33134 or online at www.COPDFoundation.org.

All are invited to gather with Pat’s family and friends Tuesday, Aug. 9, from 5-8 p.m., at Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester St., North Grafton. Her life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Church, 17 Waterville St., North Grafton. She will then be laid to rest at Pine Grove Cemetery in North Grafton with her husband, Al.

To share a memory of Pat or leave a message of sympathy with her family, visit her online guestbook at www.RoneyFuneralHome.com.

No posts to display