Patricia Ann Rudolph

Pat was born to Lawrence and Leonida (Lee) Masterson on September 27, 1947, at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. The youngest of three children, she spent her early years living in Parma Heights with her siblings, Lawrence, Jr. (Larry) and Karen, attending Incarnate Word Academy elementary and then Nazareth Academy where she graduated in 1965. In her youth she enjoyed taking tap dance and ballet and being a cheerleader. At the young age of 15 she met her life-long partner, John Everett Rudolph, on a double date to a homecoming dance. The pair connected instantly and dated on and off in high school and after graduation. After working for a few years, Pat followed John to Ohio University where she studied psychology, but left early when she and John married on June 21, 1969.

Pat had always dreamed of having a large family, and she and John were blessed to have four mostly-normal and occasionally well-behaved children. By the late 1970s they settled into a home on the west side of Cleveland, where they would live for over forty years. Pat became a full time mom during this time, devoting her energy to raising a family and even watching other children in her home. She adored being around young children and caring for them came quite naturally to her. She became an active member of St. Mel’s Church, volunteering at numerous fundraisers and school events, leading Cub Scout and Girl Scout groups, and serving as President of the women’s Altar & Rosary society.

As her children grew and became more active, Pat spent countless hours shuttling them from one activity to the next and making sure the pantry was full and their school and sports uniforms were clean. In the 1980s, it is quite possible that she spent more time on baseball and softball diamonds than she did actually sleeping. Despite having very little free time, during this period Pat managed to become an accomplished candy maker and cake decorator. Her homemade chocolate candy was in high demand especially around Christmas and Easter, and was a favorite among her family, neighbors and friends. She also enjoyed bowling in a couples bowling league and getting together with her and John’s close friends to play cards (allegedly) and laugh until late into the evening. Those times with friends were among her fondest memories and she spoke of them often.

In 1985, Pat was able to renew her interest in psychology when she became an administrative assistant at the hospital where she was born. She worked at Lutheran Hospital in the geropsychiatric unit for over 20 years, and was known for her kindness and compassion towards others as well as her tireless work ethic. She made many good friends along the way before leaving in 2006.

In 2002, her wish of becoming a grandmother came true, and in the years that followed she was blessed to have four wonderful grandchildren, all of whom are smarter than their parents. Watching them grow and spoiling them as often as she could (and then sending them back home) always brought her tremendous joy.

Pat was warm, kind, level-headed, and easy to like. She had a sharp sense of humor and rather enjoyed sarcasm. Her life was defined by her devotion to John and to her family, and her caring for others. She believed deeply in the value of education, making numerous personal sacrifices to see all four of her children graduate from college. She also believed in the power of good food, and took delight in cooking for others and passing down her favorite recipes. Her homemade sticky buns, pancakes, and pork chops are part of the family lore that will continue on through the generations. Pat’s life was also defined by her strong Catholic upbringing and faith. That faith carried her through many life challenges beyond even raising her children, including her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s and eventually her own.

Pat is survived by her husband, John; sister Karen Harmody (Tom, deceased) of Strongsville; daughter Jennifer of North Olmsted; son John (Julie) of Fairview Park; daughter Christine Murry (Jeff) of Gahanna; and son Michael of North Olmsted. She is grandmother to Josh and Luke Murry, and Alex and Morgan Rudolph. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Leonida Masterson, and her brother Lawrence, Jr. In the last year of her life, Pat was lovingly cared for by the staff of The Renaissance in Olmsted Falls, Ohio and the family is eternally grateful for the compassion extended to her during her stay there.

A Funeral Mass for Pat will be held at St. Bernadette Church, 2256 Clague Road, Westlake, Ohio on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 12 noon with a reception immediately following. Family will receive friends at Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home, 20820 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, 44126 from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2022. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation in Pat’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org).

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