Patricia "Miss Patti" Williams

AUSTINTOWN - Patricia Williams, 72, better known to all as “Miss Patti,” passed away peacefully Friday morning, June 3, 2016, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Patricia was born Jan. 7, 1944, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Steve and Lucille DeRose Hodari, was a lifelong area resident and a graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School.

As a chemical dependency counselor for 10 years, Miss Patti was a woman who wore many hats. Patti provided inspiration and served as “mother” to addicts in the Youngstown community when she wasn’t helping her own large family. She loved to cook, and proudly wore the hats of mother, grandmother, friend, and most recently, great-grandmother.

A storyteller who could capture the rapt attention of an entire room, Patti spent her days handing out life lessons through stories and songs about “Miss Mary Mack” and “the woman who was 5-foot-2 with eyes so blue.” Patti’s last lesson for her family and friends was to never stop fighting, and she went out of this life on her own terms, with a smile on her face.

Patricia will be greatly missed by her children, Julie (Norm) Bush, Debbie (Paul) Wright, Lori (Jason) Lude, Ronnie Williams (Robyn), and Ron Pezzuolo; 12 grandchildren, who will miss her dearly, Ronnie Pezzuolo II, Tony Pezzuolo, Leigha Pezzuolo, Tarah Wright, Paul “Bubby” Wright, Kasey Wright, Jason Lude, Justin Lude, Alyssa Lude, Alexis Lude, Brittany Williams, and Eliana Williams; and four great-grandchildren, Aubrey Wright, Angel Ortiz, Aedyn Williams, and Dominic Williams.

Patti’s husband, David Robert Williams; a son. Stevie Williams; a daughter, Kathy Williams; and a brother, William Hodari, are deceased.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 8, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown. 

A Celebration of Life will follow the calling hours Wednesday, and will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2305 S. Canfield-Niles Rd., Austintown.

“The next time an older person tries to pass down words of wisdom to you, stop, take a seat on the floor, and listen to every word, because it just might change your life forever. Sit down and listen because when they’re gone, you’ll miss all those stories and life lessons no matter how ridiculous they may have seemed at the time.”