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Patricia "Pat" Pencek (Miller) left us way too early on August 6th, 2026. Pat was born on July 12, 1956. Pat was a loving wife, mom, grandma, and friend. She grew up in the Town of Dunkirk with eight siblings and graduated from Dunkirk High School. Pat worked at Northern Chautauqua Catholic School and REM Tronics, with her most important job being raising her two children, Joseph "Joe" (Lisa Kotar) and Sara as well as being Grandma to Sebastian, Lily, Owen, and Gavin.
Pat could be found in the cafeteria at NCCS serving up "eyeballs" (grapes) for Halloween, donating her time at the food pantry, having coffee with her friends, and attending sporting events and plays. She loved to garden, camp, wine taste, bird watch, and wander around the countryside with her husband Joseph (Joe) of 48 years.
She had a remarkable ability to see the magic in everyday life. With her creativity, imagination, and playful spirit, she made every moment an opportunity for fun and adventure, creating countless cherished memories for her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Everyone was invited to sit on her porch and watch the birds at the birdfeeder, have some wonderful dessert or snack that she would whip up at a moment's notice, sit at the campfire, and to ice skate at her pond.
Pat will be met in Heaven by her mother, Joan (Johnson) and father, James. Also her brothers, Jim, Bob, and Bill will meet her with other loved ones that also left us way too early.
There will be no viewing or formal funeral services. Pat would want her family and friends to remember her not with sadness, but by celebrating the love, laughter, and memory she created with those around her. So raise your glass, have a toast to her beautiful life and listen to Alan Jackson's Remember When. Remember the good times, the laughter and all the moments that make life special. Nostrovia!
Arrangements are by R. Michael Mackowiak III; McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home, 736 Central Avenue, Dunkirk, NY. Share condolences, www.mcgrawkowalfuneralhome.com.