PATRICIA LENORE (FILKINS) PLAZEK
PLAZEK PATRICIA LENORE (FILKINS)
Age 79, was welcomed into the hands of God on Saturday, October 23,
2010. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Mildred and Lowell Filkins,
Patricia was the eldest of four children. After studying English
writing at St. Louis University, Patricia married Dr. Donald J. Plazek,
now professor emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh. Settling in
Pittsburgh's north borough of Bellevue, Patricia was the loving mother
of seven children, now all happily married, and devoted grandmother to
23 grandchildren. Patricia was a civil rights advocate since the
1960's. She was the first woman president of the Parish Council of the
Church of the Assumption in Bellevue and editor of Assumption's "The
Dialogue" newsletter. For over ten years, Patricia was the insightful
and feisty editorialist who wrote "The Random Sampler" column for
Bellevue's The Citizen newspaper. Patricia was also a faithful
contributor of a column in "The New Liberal", the newsletter of the
Citizens for Social Justice. Patricia traveled extensively, including a
year spent with her family in Glasgow, Scotland. She was a longtime
member of the Women's Literary Club of Bellevue and a dedicated
volunteer of the Women's Auxiliary of the Salvation Army. Patricia has
been an inspiration in faith, selflessness, humor, and love to everyone
whose life she touched, even after surviving a debilitating stroke six
years ago. Preceding Patricia in death is her brother William Filkins.
She is survived by her two brothers James Filkins and Frederick
Filkins. She is also survived by her beloved husband, Donald, her seven
children, Mary Vic Taylor (Tom Taylor), Joseph Plazek (Cynthia
Reinhart), Caroline Miller (Alan Miller), Daniel Plazek (Luisa
Valeriano), John Plazek (Pamela Sohl), David Plazek (Cristina Ritacco),
Anne Taylor (Edward Taylor) and her 23 grandchildren. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army or the National
Stroke Council. Friends received Wednesday & Thursday 2-4 and 7-9pm
at the LAWRENCE T. MILLER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 460 Lincoln Avenue,
Bellevue. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Church of
the Assumption on Friday at 11am. Friends are asked to meet at the
church.
www.ltmillerfuneralhome.com
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from October 26 to October 28, 2010