Patricia "Pat" L. Ficcaglia of Trafford, Pa., passed away at 3:55 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, in St. John XXIII Home, Hermitage, after an extended illness with cancer. She was 71.

Miss Ficcaglia was born July 2, 1944, in Sharon, the only child of Nick and Janet Salatino Ficcaglia. She was a 1962 alumna of Sharon High School and received bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Penn State University.

Pat retired from Gateway School District, Monroeville, Pa., where she was an elementary educator most of her career and later taught computer applications for more than 30 years.

She continued teaching computer applications to adult learners during her retirement.

She was a member of the national and Pennsylvania education associations; was an officer in her local teacher's union and homeowners association; and was active in community theater. Pat was a member of Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon; and North American Martyrs Parish, Monroeville, where she volunteered in the office.

She was an avid reader, a world traveler and a wonderful conversationalist. She enjoyed social media, where she communicated with friends and family.

Pat loved children and was a very big part of the lives of her cousins, to whom she stressed reading and education. She will be remembered and missed for her warm smile, friendly nature, optimism and generosity.

Surviving is her large extended family of loving first, second and third cousins; and an aunt. Pat was very proud to have taken care of her parents during their final years of life.

Her family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Service: Memorial Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Dec. 26, 2015, in Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon, with the Rev. Henry C. Andrae, pastor, as celebrant.