Patricia Ann (Locke) Rizzo

Patricia Ann (Locke) Rizzo, age 87, of North East, passed on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at Penn-State Hershey Medical Center.

Pat was born on December 5, 1937, to the late G. Boyd Locke and Virginia (Eastman) Locke Peck.  She was a resident of Wattsburg and North East her entire life.  She was the eldest grandchild on both sides of her family.

Pat graduated from Wattsburg High School with the class of 1955. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education in 1959 from Slippery Rock State Teachers College (currently Slippery Rock University).  She was very proud of this accomplishment since she was the first in her family to earn a college degree.  She was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, Pennsylvania State Education Association and alumni of Slippery Rock University.

Pat taught health and physical education for 32 years in the Harborcreek School District and retired in 1993. She was a gifted teacher and coach due to her passion for education.  She was active in the North East Little League.  She and Jean Lewis founded the North East Girls Softball League and coached for six years.  Her team had the best record of any teams during her coaching tenure.  After stepping down as coach, she continued to support the League as the financial coordinator for two years.

She was a member of St. Gregory’s Church.  She taught CCD, served as Parish Council Member and served on the Liturgy Committee.  She was a lifetime member of the Hornsby Historical Society.  Pat enjoyed reading, gardening, Swedish weaving, crocheting and tatting (ancient form of lace making).  Pat was a snowbird living in Florida 5 month out of the year.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather George E. Peck and her son, Carl B. Rizzo.

She is survived by her husband, Carl R Rizzo; daughters, Donna Weinheimer of North East, Denise Rizzo of Harrisburg and Deanna Prichard (Tom) of Erie; sister, Carol Klenz (Bill); brother, Richard Locke (Cindy); eight grandchildren, Craig Weinheimer, Cass Weinheimer, Carl Rizzo III, Corey Klick, Anthony Rizzo, Adam Prichard, Jamie Prichard, Paul Rizzo, all of North East; 3 great grandsons; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Family and friends may call at the William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 South Lake Street, North East on Monday, February 10 from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm and are invited to attend a prayer service on Tuesday, February 11 at 10:00 am at the funeral home followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gregory Church, 48 South Pearl Street, North East, PA.  Private interment will be held at St. Gregory Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to St. Gregory’s Catholic Church.  Please send condolences to elkinfh.com.

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