Patricia Pacenta, a beloved educator in the city of Pottsville, died December 16.
Pacenta worked in Pottsville Area School from 1956 until 1992. She served as Principal of John S. Clarke Elementary School.
In addition to her work at Pottsville schools, Pacenta was one of the many familiar and friendly faces people used to see walking about Pottsville.
Here is Pacenta’s full obituary as posted to Schlitzer Allen Pugh’s website:
Patricia A. Pacenta, 87 – Beloved Pottsville Educator
Patricia A. Pacenta, 87, Pottsville, entered into eternal rest Monday evening at Manor Care Health Services, Pottsville.
Born June 11, 1932, in Shamokin, she was the daughter of the late Anthony N. and Florence S. (Selgrath) Pacenta.
She was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
Patricia was a 1954 graduate of West Chester University where she obtained her teacher degree. She earned her Master’s Degree in 1960 from Columbia University and later earned her Principal Certification from Scranton University.
Pacenta was employed by the Pottsville Area School District from 1956 until retiring in 1992. She is fondly remembered by the students who passed through the doors of the John S. Clarke Elementary Center as heading the reading program and eventually becoming their principal.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother Peter.
Surviving are her brother Dr. Anthony Pacenta and his wife Valerie, Pottsville; niece Lauren Pacenta; her closest and dearest friend Gloria Land, Pottsville and dogs Murphy, the English bulldog and Chance, the French bulldog.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville, has been entrusted with arrangements. Visit schlitzerallenpugh.com to leave a condolence for the Pacenta family.
The family would prefer contributions in memory of Patricia to:
Hillside SPCA
51 SPCA Road
Pottsville PA 17901
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Wendy
December 20, 2019 at 7:50 pm
Ms. Pacenta will be greatly missed. I remember her when i went to Garfield school through High school, she always had a smile and a kind word, not to mention a stunning wardrobe. My best to her family, sincerely wendy
Dr. Safdar
July 9, 2020 at 11:44 pm
She was an example of excellence. She played a pivotal role in dealing with diversity considering she had students from many different ethnicities and faiths in her school. She really was ahead of her time. I remember I left my lunch box at home and I could only eat a certain type of food as I had religious restrictions. This elegant woman walked with me, keeping me, a frightened 8 year old by her side, till she got me something to eat for lunch. She was the definition of authority and substance. She was a gift to our society. My condolences to her family.
Canary Commenter
July 10, 2020 at 12:28 am
Thanks for sharing that story. She was a very kind woman but tough at the same time.
Christopher Harig
July 25, 2021 at 1:31 am
Ms. Pacenta was my neighbor for 14 years and I remeber her as a very classy, confident and charismatic individual who will sorly be missed by the community.