Patricia Ruckel

A native of New York, she was born to Chet and Marilyn Wachowski and grew up on Lincoln Avenue in Yonkers, NY. She attended Lincoln High School and earned full scholarships to 2 colleges. She completed an Associate’s degree from Elizabeth Seton College and a Bachelor’s degree from NYU. She later returned to academia and earned a Master’s degree from Manhattan College as an honor graduate and member of ΚΔϕ Honor Society. In 1967 she married her soulmate, Richard Ruckel, also of Yonkers, NY, who gave her the nickname, “Wowie”.

Pat began her 32-year career as a math teacher at Mark Twain Middle School in Yonkers, NY. After moving to Texas in 1979, she taught at Carpenter Middle School in Plano, TX. During her teaching career and forever after, Pat lived a life of service to others. She coordinated a program to provide holiday meals to her school’s custodians, hosted staff appreciation banquets, and coached Academic Pentathlon, Math Counts, and Destination Imagination. Pat hosted home-based preschool and after-school care for her 3 grandchildren, regularly volunteered at their schools, and actively participated in numerous ministries and organizations (Prayer Shawl Ministry, Honor Our Heroes, Angel Gown Ministry, P.O.P. Bereavement Committee, Altar Linen Sacristans, Carpenter Book Club). Pat was an incredible host to visitors, a dedicated volunteer, a selfless mentor, and a grandmother like none other. She was a lifelong explorer, traveling millions of miles to 49 states and 30 countries, mostly with her favorite travel companion, Dick. In her spare time, enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, reading, crafting, long walks, grounds keeping at her childhood weekend home in Cobleskill, NY, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Wowie is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Dick Ruckel, their dog Piper, daughter Kimberly Callait and husband Brad Keith, daughter Julie Schattle, granddaughters Callie Schattle and Cassie Schattle, grandson Jake Schattle, and their father Tony Schattle, brother Bill Wachowski, sister Marilyn McLafferty and husband Jim McLafferty, and numerous extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Texas Scottish Rite for Children www.ScottishRiteForChildren.org

A visitation for Patricia will be held Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 7990 President George Bush, Turnpike, Dallas, TX 75252. A funeral mass will occur Friday, October 20, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 5100 W Plano Pkwy, Plano, TX 75093. A reception will occur Friday, October 20, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 5100 W Plano Pkwy, Plano, TX 75093.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com for the Ruckel family.