Patricia Durkin

Patricia G. Durkin, 88, Clarks Summit, died Friday at home. She was the loving wife of John Durkin, who died March 31, 2000. The couple was married over 47 years.

Born Nov. 12, 1927, in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Patrick and Lyda (Beckett) Gillespie. She graduated from Scranton Central High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Marywood College. After her marriage, Patricia resided in Philadelphia for 21 years and taught in Philadelphia public and parochial schools. Upon returning to the Scranton area, she taught in the Abington Heights School District, and then worked in the business office of Suburban Casuals.

She was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Parish, and an active member of the Marywood Alumnae Association.

Patricia was a very friendly and outgoing person who made new friends easily, and also maintained friendships dating back to first grade at Nativity School. She was a devoted wife and mother who will be missed greatly by her family.

Surviving are two sons, Patrick and wife, Deborah, Houston, Texas; and Brian Durkin, Philadelphia; two daughters, Mary Ellen Durkin, Clarks Summit; and Nancy Clearfield and husband, Jon, Malvern; four grandchildren, Kathryn and Michael Durkin, Houston; and Courtney and Jack Clearfield, Malvern; sister-in-law, Ruth Durkin, Long Beach, Calif.; brother-in-law, Paul Durkin and wife, Clare, Clarks Summit; brother-in-law, Robert Durkin, Scranton; and cousin, Miriam Zielinski, Clarks Summit.

The funeral will be Friday with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit, to be celebrated by Rev. Seth Wasnock. Interment St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.

The family will receive relatives and friends Friday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit. Memorial contributions may be made to Marywood University, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

For directions or to leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.