Patricia Pat Galayda

Patricia "Pat" Lee Clarke Galayda, 73, of Lake Charles, LA died Tuesday, June 28, 2011 in a local hospital.

Pat was born July 3, 1937 in Pittsburgh, PA, where she lived until moving to Lake Charles in 1998. She worked for the Diocese of Pittsburgh before marrying the love of her life, Edward, fifty-four years ago. She worked for the Cleft Palate Center in Pittsburgh. Pat was a member of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Pittsburgh and St. Margaret Catholic Church in Lake Charles. She was a homemaker and caregiver for most of her life. She loved to read books, crochet, and go ballroom dancing with her husband, and loved her faithful dog Buddy.

Those left to honor and cherish her memories are her daughters, Ruth Cavanagh of Pittsburgh; Terri and husband Carmen and grandson Carmen Edward Angelini of Lake Charles, and Patty Galayda of CA; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Long and Eleanor Gavigan, both of Pittsburgh, granddaughters, Melissa, Jessica and Veronica Cavanagh; niece and nephews, Jennifer and Michael Gavigan, and Dennis Galayda and wife Janet.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Steven Galayda; son, Edward Peter Galayda; and parents, Charles and Veronica Clarke.

Her funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Father Bill Miller will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a scripture and rosary at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Friday from 8:00 AM until the start of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Margaret Catholic Church, 2510 Enterprise Blvd, Lake Charles, LA 70601 or the American Cancer Society, One Lakeshore Drive, Suite 1585, Lake Charles, LA 70629.