Patricia DeLapa

Patricia Mulrennan DeLapa passed away peacefully on Monday, May 15 at the age of 93. She was born to the late Emmet and Victoria Mulrennan of Minneapolis. She spent summers fishing and frolicking on Minnesota's many lakes and winters ice skating on Lake Harriet. She formed friendships with grade school classmates that would endure for a lifetime.

While attending high school at the Academy of Holy Angels, Pat met her future husband, Richard (Dick) DeLapa of Akron, Ohio who was boarding at St. Thomas Military Academy. After she attended the University of Minnesota, they married in September of 1952 and moved to Columbus, Ohio. Dick pursued a degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The Ohio State University. After graduation, and following two years in Pensacola, Florida, where he was stationed with the Air Force, they permanently settled in Akron. Dick established a successful practice while Pat presided over their family of three boys and three girls.

Dick died suddenly in 1992 after 40 years of marriage, and their daughter Diane was diagnosed shortly after with terminal brain cancer and passed away in 1996. In the aftermath of these profound losses, Pat's focus increasingly turned to bridge, painting, and, most notably, her grandchildren.

As an enthusiastic member of the bridge group at Portage Country Club, she was a fierce competitor who was fondly referred to as the "Queen of No Trump". She attended art classes at the University of Akron and produced numerous paintings that adorn her family's homes.

Her greatest achievement, however, was her love and unwavering dedication to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She had a unique capacity for enjoying life and the ability to share that spirit with all. Her sense of fun extended from tap dancing in the basement with her granddaughter to being the lunch monitor at 89 years old at her great grandson's school.

Entertaining was at the top of her list. Holidays were very special occasions (particularly Christmas and - not surprisingly - St. Patrick's Day), and she turned them into larger-than-life events. She was known as "Nana" by all, always welcomed family, friends, and anyone alone on a Holiday.

She was a remarkable woman who brought much joy and laughter into the lives of all of those around her.

Pat was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a member of St. Hilary Parish for over 57 years.

The family would like to thank the following caregivers: Cleveland Clinic Hospice, Crystal Bryd, Vonn Milender, Maureen Greene, and Kelly Morris.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; daughter, Diane; granddaughter Lisy; daughter-in-law Heidi; and brother Robert (Joanne) Mulrennan.

She is survived by her children RJ (Dawn); David (Lynne); Joanne (Brian Wilson); John (Jennifer); and Nancy Keny (Tom Barzditis).

Grandchildren Jessica (Andy) Ports; Samantha (Joey) Harr; Gebby Keny; Jonathan and Nolan DeLapa; Jenni (Jeremy) Kowalczyk; Erika Boggs (John Southard); Ashley (Mike) Claypool; Jimmy (Casie) Dolan; Jason Dolan; and Jamie (Nick) Hilyard.

Great grandchildren Collin, Cate, and Ally Ports; Landen Harr; Ella, Evan, and Ethan Kowalczyk; Jaxon Stevens; Ryan Hanla; Bella, Charlotte, and Luke Allen; and Tyler, Abbie, Baileigh, and Emily Dolan.

Daughter-in-law Terry DeLapa; friends Peggy Schobert, Pat Ockene, Lori Aloisi, and Jan Barzditis.

Calling hours will be 2-4PM on Sunday, May 21, at the Hummel Funeral Home, 3475 Copley Road, Copley, Ohio 44321. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00AM, Monday, May 22, at St. Hilary Catholic Church, followed by interment at Rose Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Hilary Church, 2750 West Market St., Fairlawn, Oh 44333 in memory of Patricia DeLapa.