Obituary
Patricia Rae (McVay) Gottschalk, 86, of Copeland Oaks Retirement Community, Sebring, OH, passed away at 8:40pm on Jan 19th, 2023. She is survived by her children Philip A. (Linda) Gottschalk, Jeanne E. (Dave) Swaisgood, and Andrew L. (Tara) Gottschalk; six grandchildren, Beth (Tom) Stauffer, Steve (Renee) Gottschalk, John Gottschalk, Heidi (Josh) Ecksmith, Mike (Julia) Swaisgood, and Kelly Gottschalk; three great-grandchildren, Becky Stauffer, Levi Gottschalk, and Bungee Ecksmith; and brother, David McVay. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, and her parents, Raymond and Twila McVay. Pat was passionate about showing people the love of Jesus Christ. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was happily married for 52 years to Bob, mostly residing at East Orchard Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. Together they regularly opened their home for Bible studies, and they supported missionaries by editing, printing, stuffing, and mailing their newsletters and hosting missionaries in their home for years. She was a dedicated Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school director, and Girl Scout leader. Even her knitting went to Knit for Kids in Sewickley to be sent to those in need all over the world. She was a secretary and receptionist for St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in West View, PA. She also worked for Lutheran Service Society in Oakland. She worked for Priority Two under Charlie Beck for over 18 years.
She enjoyed traveling in Europe to visit her son and family, in China and Guatemala with missionaries, and across the USA with her five grade-school girlfriends (even into their 80s!). She enjoyed reading, knitting, caring for her cat, walking, and swimming at the pool at Copeland Oaks Retirement Community. All that knew her, loved her. She was always available to listen with compassion. The loving advice she offered always cut to the heart of the matter. She will be greatly missed.
Donations
. Should friends desire, contributions may be made to Phil & Linda Gottschalk, c/o Eastern Mennonite Missions, P.O. Box 8617, Lancaster, PA 17604.