Patricia Rose (Kulinski) Weiss

Patricia Rose Weiss, 83, of Sylvania, OH, passed away on March 15, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Leona Kulinski; and her brother, Philip Kulinski. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Harry “Tony” Weiss; her children, Beth (Doug) Ripley, Tony (Cathy) Weiss, Jane Marie Phillips, and David (Crystal) Weiss; and her grandchildren, Colleen, Matthew & Audrey Ripley, Noah & Amelia Weiss, Meaghan (Jerry) Ficek & Jaclyn Phillips, Addy, Ellie, Cullen & Beckett Weiss.

Patricia or “Pat” was born March 9, 1940 and was raised in Baltimore, MD in the historic Fells Point area, as the third oldest of eight children born to Philip Casimir and Leona Kulinski. She was a born caregiver who looked after her younger siblings and helped with cooking while both parents worked. Pat or “Patsy” attended Holy Rosary Church and school through 8th grade and Patterson High School (Class of ’57) where she participated in athletics, the school paper, National Honor Society and several Catholic Youth organizations. Pat completed one semester of college at Towson University and later obtained her Bachelor degree in Education at Saginaw Valley State College (1986).

Pat met Harry “Tony” Weiss at a local dance hall where she went with her friends. They were married on September 16, 1961 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She used to joke that she married him because he wouldn’t leave her alone. She often came home to him sitting on the front stoop or in the house chatting with her Mom. They moved to Tony’s home town of Flint, MI after the birth of their oldest, so he could work for General Motors. Tony’s National Guard, active duty Army and Reserves service resulted in many moves around the country and time on her own with the children. The family settled in Bay City, MI for several years after Tony left the Army and returned to work for GM.

Pat was a hard worker, always striving for perfection or as close as she could get. She was also an excellent organizer, motivator, creative problem solver and a whiz at “making do” with what was on hand. Pat was very devoted to her children, grandchildren, and students. She juggled many roles throughout her life, and always managed to find the good in everyone. Pat began substitute teaching in Bay City, MI until she moved one last time to Sylvania, OH. Once there she worked as a substitute teacher until she procured a permanent position teaching 4th grade at St. Catherine’s Catholic School in Toledo, OH. She switched after a few years to teaching 2nd grade, where she stayed for the remainder of her career, retiring in 2003. Pat had a special gift for making all her students feel special. She instructed them in academic and required religious studies. But she also taught them kindness, compassion, respect, tolerance for differences, how to care for each other, see the good in people, creative problem solving and how to negotiate their way through life’s everyday challenges.

Pat loved butterflies, music to sing and/or dance to, cross stitch and crocheting. She was creative and dabbled in painting butterflies and flowers, refinishing furniture, decoupage and sewing. Pat was an avid reader of novels, biographies, the local newspaper, and her People Magazine. She also enjoyed doing crossword and sudoku puzzles, as well as watching and guessing the answers for Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

Pat also embraced her Polish heritage by reading about the history of Poland and its famous leaders and Patron Saints. Every year traditional Polish foods like kielbasa, horseradish, eggs, ham, a butter lamb, poppy seed or rye bread and a lamb cake would be prepared and taken to church the day before Easter for blessing and consumption all day on Easter to celebrate. She used DuoLingo to learn the meaning and pronunciation of new Polish words. She had a curiosity about the language that her parents and immigrant grandparents spoke to each other, but never taught her and her siblings. Tony referred to Pat as his “Polish Princess” or sometimes in frustration, a “stubborn Polack”.

Pat was stronger than she thought and persistent in completing tasks and goals, including finishing her time on earth. It seems she willed herself to go after her 83rd birthday, as if to say, “Enough! I’m done! I want to see my mom, brother and “skinny busia” (her maternal grandmother). She left us quietly as she was not one to make a fuss or call attention to herself. Pat left a legacy of how to live with dignity, humanity, empathy, and class. Her big smile and dimples are lighting up heaven now and she is at peace.

Visitation will be held at Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 N. Main Street, Sylvania, OH, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21.  A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5411 Main Street, Sylvania, OH, at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, with additional Visitation from 12:30-1:00 p.m. at the church. The Funeral Mass also will be live streamed at www.stjoesylvania.org (the church's website) and will be available for 30 days after the funeral.

Pat’s wish was for no flowers or plants. If you wish, donations in her memory may be made to Fisher/Nightingale Houses, Inc. (Please Google them), P.O. Box 33871, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, www.fnhi.org; Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice, 1730 South Reynolds Road, Toledo, OH 43614, www.Ohioliving.org; or a charity of your choice.

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