Patricia Palo

Patricia Flanagan Palo age 58, of West Springfield, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2013 at her residence after a courageous battle with cancer.

Today and for a long time forward, a very large group of family, friends, acquaintances, and students; mourns the loss of Patricia Flanagan Palo. "Patty" as she was known to her friends, was born in Erie on August 7, 1954. She was the daughter of the late John and Marian Stanley Flanagan.

Patty graduated from McDowell High School and went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Ed and Home economics Education from Mercyhurst University.

At the pinnacle of her career, she was a Guidance Counselor at Erie County Technical School. She was an advisor in the Erie Chapter of DeMolay, a member of the International Order of the Odd Fellows-Edinboro Lodge #506, the American School Counseling Association, PA School Counseling Association, and the Erie County School Association.

Patty's greatest joy was her family. She was always driven to do things the best way possible. This was extremely evident in how she raised and cared for her family. The love, joy, dedication, and heard work that she exemplified, is reflected ten-fold in those she leaves behind.

One of Patty's most treasured honors, came in the form of recognition from the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation. Her sense of purpose was always driven by the desire to shape and mold young people into the best people they could possibly be. She was so exemplary at it, that she was to receive the HODEGOS Honor in July which she received notification of in January of this year from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania's HODEGOS. This was for her many years of service to the Order of Demolay. The HODEGOS award is derived from the Greek word hodegos, which means "a leader, a guide and instructor of the inexperienced". Patty was all of this and so much more.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her in-law, Violet and Jacob Palo.

She is survived by her husband Denis Palo; two sons, Jacob Denis Palo and James Patrick Palo; her brother, Jack Flanagan and his wife Janet; her sister, Judy Koehler; her brother in law, Jack Palo; her uncle, Richard F. Stanley and her Erie County Tech School family. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W. 26 St. (at Powell Ave.) on Monday from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to attend services there on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

Burial in East Conneaut Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Make a Wish Foundation 1001 State Street, Erie, Pa 16501, or to Pennsylvania DeMolay 1244 Bainbridge road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.