Patricia Ann Selmek

Patricia “Pat” Selmek (85), of Toledo, went to sleep peacefully in the arms of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 29, 2018. She was born Patricia Durst on January 29, 1933 and grew up on the east side of Toledo at the foot of the high-level bridge with her mother, Ruth O. Wiegert Durst and her father, Clarence Durst. Patricia met Thomas Selmek on New Year’s Eve in 1948. She was one month away from celebrating her Sweet 16. After graduating from Central Catholic High School, and five years after meeting, Patricia and Thomas were married on August 08, 1953. Within a year, they started growing their family. From that point on, Patricia was a devoted wife and mother, approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ for her family. She was a long-time, active member of Blessed Sacrament Church and School. Patricia volunteered as a “Milk Mother” and “Cookie Lady” while her children were in school. She practiced the godly attribute of hospitality, with a standing “yes” to every inquiry from her many children for sleepovers and dinner guests. Her artistic flair brightened her home, the flower gardens that she tended, and the spirits of those she blessed with her creativity. She was a communion distributor at church and in the community for sick and shut-in parishioners, faithfully led the parish bible study group with her husband, helped organize funeral luncheons, participated in Perpetual Adoration and served in numerous other ways at the church. In her later years, she joined the Senior Committee as the “Sunshine Lady.” It was her job to find ways to bring sunshine into other people’s lives…a job that she continued to do well past the point that she was able to participate in that group due to health limitations. Eventually, she moved from West Toledo to The Waterford at Levis Commons in Perrysburg, where she spent the last eight years making new friends and spreading more sunshine to everyone she met. When she was asked what words of advice would she give, she replied, “You’ve got to love one another. Never say anything to anybody that you can’t take back. You always should be encouraging each other. You can forgive a person, but you can’t forget, so be careful what you say!” Patricia was proceeded in death by her husband, Deacon Thomas S. Selmek and is survived by her nine loving children: Thomas (Beverly) Selmek, Matthew (Jennifer) Selmek, Christina (Mark) Carter, Theresa (Antonio) Martinez, Mark (Sally) Selmek, Andrew (Lisa) Selmek, Diana (Steven) Kent, Patricia (Guy) Cavaliere, and Alicia (John) Pangrac as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff of precious caregivers at The Waterford at Levis Commons. They were the hands of Jesus to Patricia and all the family during her illness. Visitation will be Wednesday October 3, 2018 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at the Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 West Sylvania Avenue, Toledo. A rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 2240 Castlewood Drive, Toledo, where the Mass of Resurrection will follow beginning at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Michael Geiger Officiant. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. To send her family online condolences, please visit www.ansberg-west.com.

Patricia Ann Selmek

January 29, 1933 - September 29, 2018