Daughter of Patricia Lucille DeFreitas and James Lambert, she was born August 23, 1941 in Georgetown, British Guyana. She spent her childhood on the island of Aruba, Netherland Antilles, a place she described as a “paradise”. She was the oldest of three daughters, Helen Baur (of Cincinnati) and Maureen Donahue (deceased) with whom she shared this “paradise” and whom she treasured her whole life long.
Patricia attended Centenary School in New Jersey, later transferring to Miami University in Ohio where she graduated in 1963. While at Miami, Patricia met and fell in love with W. Richard “Dick” Vlah, who after 56 years of marriage continued to believe she “hit the jackpot” in meeting him. She considered St. Patty’s Day, the day Dick pinned her with his fraternity pin, a most special day of the year, celebrated annually by retelling of the story of her love for Dick.
After getting married in June 1963, she began a career at General Electric in the Overseas Lamp Division in Cleveland before she and Dick started a family, moving to Chesterland, Ohio where they have lived for over 50 years. While raising three children, Steve, Jennifer and Kathryn Camille (KC), she returned to work in the private and public schools, working many years as an executive assistant to the Shaker Heights Superintendent, retiring in 1998.
She was known by Patricia, Pat, and Camille, and adored for her spirited and gregarious personality. Besides enjoying time with her family, Patricia especially looked forward to travel and adventure with Dick and her sisters and brothers in-law, traveling extensively throughout the world by foot, bike, train, boat, and automobile, with Hilton Head always holding a special spot in her heart. She and Dick loved returning annually to Hilton Head finding peace and calm. She was passionate about her exercise, walking, biking, and going to the gym regularly. She liked solving the daily word puzzles, and had a unique love for cutting grass on their property with Dick, using a commercial grade lawn mower.
Strong-willed and feisty, she was also incredibly loving and compassionate. As a guiding light, the first person to make you see the positive and the first person to tell you what you needed to hear. She had a special gift for making you feel like you were the most important person in the room - optimistic and positive until her final days.
Survived by her husband, Dick; children, Steve (Raechelle), Jennifer (Alex), Kathryn (Brian); grandchildren, Alexandra Jordan, Jessica, Piper, Maxwell, Paige and Winston; sister Helen Baur (Jerry); sisters-in-law Jann Holzman, and Marilyn Vlah; brother-in-law Tom Donahue; and nieces, Tish Miller (Tom), Meg DeCagna (Jeff), Lydia Hancock (Zach), Claire Natale (Chris); Mia Roy (David), Kimberly Nichols (Craig); nephews, Jeff Baur (JulieAnne), Ross Holzman (Iza) and Tommy Vlah (Claudene); and numerous cousins and others.
Patricia blessed all of us in her lively presence. She will remain in our hearts until the end of time.
May she rest in peace and may all who know her remember her contagious, welcoming smile and zest for life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University Hospital Geauga Medical Center:
13207 Ravenna Rd
Chardon, Ohio 44024
Attn: Emilie Gottsengen
Check notation: In memory of Patricia Vlah for Seidman Cancer Center at UH Geauga
Or online at uhgiving.org with designation to UH Geauga Medical Center.
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