December 3, 1936 — July 1, 2023
Patricia Rychlik Blaszak, 86, a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Saturday July 1, 2023. Born December 3, 1936, she was the daughter of the late William and Helen (Jankowski) Rychlik.
Pat spent her childhood in Perry, New York. Pat was a graduate of Syracuse University where she was a member of the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta. Pat continued her education by earning a Master’s degree from SUNY Geneseo.
Pat moved to Virginia and raised her four sons. She was a well-liked English teacher at Colonial Heights High School. Following her teaching career, Pat was a content editor with EL Hamm & Associates at Fort Lee. Then Pat worked as a legislative assistant to Kirk Cox in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Pat’s commitment to her faith was unwavering. She was an active member of Saint Ann’s Church in Colonial Heights. Pat was a member of the Catholic Daughters. She volunteered as an altar server, in the Eucharistic Ministry and the Marthas (funeral ministry). Pat established the Memorial Garden at church.
Pat was also an election poll worker in Colonial Heights. She enjoyed the theater, Western movies (especially John Wayne) and was an avid book reader. During the summer, you could always find her at the pool. But the most important aspect of Pat’s life was raising her four boys.
She is survived by her sister Rita M. Gibbons of Bradenton, FL; her four sons Frank (Diana) Blaszak of Wagener, SC, Michael(Anne) Blaszak of Aiken SC, Daniel (Myra) of Chesterfield, VA, William (Colleen) of Richmond, VA; her nieces Kathleen(William) Schramm of Toledo, OH, Karen Walsh of Bradenton, FL and Nita (Michael) Bellucci of Baldwinsville, NY; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and three great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at 9:30 am to 10:45 am followed by 11:00 am funeral mass on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church, 17111 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. Interment will be following the Mass at St. Ann Cemetery, 3320 Beechwood Avenue, Chester, VA 23831. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CDA Court Regina Coeli 2032, 17111 Route 1 South Chesterfield, Virginia 23834.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.