Obituary for Patricia Ciaciura

Patricia “Pat” Ciaciura (née Ryan), age 86, of Lewis Center, OH, formerly of Westerville, OH, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2023. Pat joins in heaven her beloved husband of 46 years, John E. Ciaciura; parents, William Riley and Marguerite (O'Toole) Ryan and Edward Ryan; brother, Bill (Mary) Ryan, and infant granddaughter, Alexis DeLille. 

Pat was born in Chicago, IL on January 12, 1937.  She attended St. Kilian's Elementary School and graduated from Mercy High School in 1954, and then proceeded to Mundelein College. She met her partner for life, John Ciaciura in 1958 and they married at St. Thomas More Church in Chicago on June 1, 1963. Pat and John started their family in Chicago, in the home in which she was raised.  The family continued to grow as they moved to Waukesha, WI and finally settled in Westerville, OH in 1975.   

Pat lived her life with a strong devotion to her faith and family.  Her vocation was motherhood, and she was the most incredible example to her family as a mother and grandmother, with inspiration from the Blessed Mother.  She instilled in her family the importance of faith.  While her kids were in school, she worked various jobs around Westerville to help provide for the family and most importantly, to ensure that her children would have a Catholic education.  Pat also lived and grew in her faith throughout her life.  She was supported in a wonderful way by the St. Paul Parish community upon the family's arrival to Westerville, and it didn't take long for Pat to be involved in various St. Paul ministries such as, Christ Renews Her Parish and the Altar and Rosary Society.  Attending daily Mass was also very important to her and you could usually find her at the 6:45 or 8:00 am Masses.    In her retirement years, she enjoyed her time with her Small Church Community.  

Pat and John provided a loving and nurturing home, filled with joy, where her kids could grow and thrive.   Pat was the epitome of a mother who put the needs of her children first, always supporting and caring for them in the best way she could. She worked so hard to provide her kids with what they needed, and they were never without good food and all the comforts of a great upbringing.    She loved her family unconditionally and it was evident in how she cared for them with selflessness, sincerity, complete devotion, and constant prayers.  While she was such an incredible mother, she excelled at being a "Granny" and welcomed any opportunity to spoil her grandchildren with lots of love and treats.  The grandkids knew they could get an uncontested, "Yes!" from Granny, especially if it was a "No" from their parents.  She delighted in watching them grow and took great interest in all of their activities and accomplishments.  She was so proud of every member of her family.  

Even friends felt like family from the time she greeted you with her beautiful smile, sparkling eyes, and comforting hug.  She would genuinely show her care and concern for you through a sincere conversation, an offer to help in some way, or her favorite way - to feed anyone who would stop by.  There was always room at the table for one more, in Pat's smiling eyes.  Her quick wit was sometimes unexpected, but always appreciated and she could make anyone laugh and smile with her contagious cheerfulness.   Those who came in contact with her always felt special and cared about. Even in those later years when her mind was not as sharp, her sweet, loving soul always shined through and she brought such positivity and light to those she encountered.    

Pat will certainly be missed by all those who loved her, but it is comforting that she can be reunited with the love of her life and soulmate, John.  They were a beautiful couple, always by each other's side, and provided a wonderful example to their children of marriage and family.  Their legacy will live on in their loving family.  Pat will always be remembered for her pure joy, steadfast faith, and sincere love for family and friends.   

Pat is survived by her six adoring children, John (Norma) Ciaciura, Patty (Brad) Himes, Maureen (Mark) Goad, Joe (Tara) Ciaciura, Mary (Jason) DeLille and Karen (Doug) Heil. “Granny” is survived by her wonderful grandchildren, Courtney (Adam) Hinson, Stephanie (Tyler) Cook, Lauren Himes, Tanner and Ember DeLille, Jennifer Ciaciura, Samantha and Riley Goad, Tommy and Veronica Ciaciura, and Kevin, Brandon, Allison and Kathleen Heil; and her delightful great-grandchildren, Liam Hinson and Camryn and Caden Cook. Pat also leaves behind her brother, Ed (Kathy) Ryan and brother-in-law, Harry Ciaciura, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Please join in a celebration of Pat's life, so blessed and well-lived, on Friday, December 22, 2023, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 313 N. State Street, Westerville.  Family will receive friends and family at 9:30 am, followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am, Fr. Charles Klinger, celebrant and assisted by Pat's son, Deacon Joe Ciaciura.  Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery after Mass.  In lieu of flowers, and to assist with scholarships for a Catholic education - an investment Pat and John sacrificed to provide to their children, contributions can be made to the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund: emmausroadscholarship.org - respectfully requesting that donations go to either St. Paul, Westerville, or St. Francis DeSales, High School, Columbus, schools where her children attended.