Patricia Hoffman Cola

Patricia Cola, a resident of St. Mark's Village at the Highlands, passed away Sunday, June 5th at the age of 94. She was born to Joseph and Anna Pawlen in Youngstown, Ohio on January 8, 1922. Patricia grew up in Youngstown, graduating from Scienceville High School in 1940 and went to work there at Western Union. She was married in 1948 to Charles Hoffman, a WWII navy veteran, who preceded her in death in 1971. During their marriage, they lived in Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan where Patricia worked as a bookkeeper for the Detroit Bank and Trust Company. Upon Charles' retirement, they moved to Florida in 1969, and Patricia remained a Pinellas county resident for the rest of her life. She was re-married in 1974 to George Cola, who preceded her in death in 1989. Patricia worked for the county water department for 13 years, retiring in 1984. Patricia is survived by a daughter, Karen Hoffman Ashley; a grandson, Jonathan Ashley; nieces: Sr. Nancy Pawlen; Pauline Dorbish, Cindy Simonet; nephews: Joseph Pawlen; James White and Richard White. She is survived by grand-nieces and grand-nephews as well as great-grant-nieces and nephews. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers: Joseph Pawlen, John Pawlen and Edward Pawlen; and her sister, Joan Pawlen White. Patricia's family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of St. Mark's and Suncoast Hospice for the wonderful care and empathy they showed during the end of her journey.