Senior Softball Women's Team Honors Former Coach

MILWAUKEE - Feb. 17, 2025 - PRLog -- Patricia Marie Strozyk (1939 -2024) was a feisty, intelligent and independent woman who enjoyed golf, softball, sailing, and tennis. She was an avid fan of her hometown Green Bay Packers and a devout enthusiast for the WNBA women's basketball team, the Phoenix Mercury. She enjoyed playing Bingo and Fantasy Football, and helping others. Born and raised in Milwaukee, she became a business teacher and later a vice principal in South Milwaukee.

One of her proudest memories was coaching the St. Francis girls basketball team to a surprising city championship, even though prior to her tutelage, many of the girls had never even dribbled a basketball before. She became an elementary school counselor prior to retirement and then moved to sunny Mesa, AZ. History repeated itself decades later when Pat became a coach again (and pitcher) for her retirement community's newly-formed senior women's softball team. The Sunland Springs Village Scorpions was comprised of several women who wanted to participate but had never played softball before. The team did not win a single game their first season, but the Scorpions enjoyed many laugh-filled innings of fun and camaraderie under her leadership.

Another memorable experience for "Pat" was playing an extra in a movie starring Linda Hamilton in Arizona. The extra and the star met briefly at another event and shared fond memories of the movie. Pat valued her relationships and was always willing to lend a hand to family and friends.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents Maximilian and Frances, sister, Sharon, and nephew, John. She is survived by her niece, Cindy, great niece, Krysi and great-great nieces, Haley and Bree, all of whom live in the Appleton, Oshkosh area. Whether a family member, friend, colleague, or former student, Pat Strozyk lived a purposeful life and will be missed by all who knew her.