Patricia Diane Morgus Gavula
Patricia Diane Morgus Gavula, 71, of Butler died of an extended illness early Tuesday morning at the VNA Inpatient Hospice.
Pat was born Sept. 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., who she married Nov. 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, Mont., and Nicholas J. (Nada) of Huntsville, Ala.; and her sister-in-law, Barbara Gavula Whitaker of Franklinton, N.C. 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 longtime Butler elementary school teacher, where she taught fourth grade for 36 years at the 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 students' lives throughout all those years of teaching, leaving a rich legacy at the school. She went on to retire in June 2003.
Throughout her life she valued and cherished her dearest family and friends, and she 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, embroidery and scrapbooking; created countless lifelong memories with her card club girlfriends; and most of all, she was her grandchildren's No. 1 fan and biggest supporter in all their endeavors. She will always be remembered by her kindness, generosity and loving spirit.
GAVULA — Friends of Patricia Diane Morgus Gavula, who died Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Butler. Interment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Butler.In lieu of flowers, her family requests that books be donated to the Library of Center Township Elementary School by visiting http://basdk12.org/page/5287, or that memorial donations be made to the VNA Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001.For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.
