Patricia Ellen Rinkus

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Those poignant words, commonly attributed to one of Patty’s favorite writers, Dr. Seuss, are clearly how she would like to be remembered. And countless people most certainly will.

Patty Ellen Gallagher (Pat to most) was born in South Bend, IN, on July 24,1956, to Gerald Thomas and Mary Joan Strobel Gallagher. She passed peacefully at home in Franklin, PA, on December 4, 2025.

She was the fourth of seven children. Her father’s Irish genes blessed her with a magnificent head of thick, wavy red hair. Her extraordinary natural beauty was undoubtedly gifted by the luck of the Irish.

Entering 7th grade in 1968, her family of nine ventured to St. Marys, PA, where her father had accepted a position with Stackpole Corporation. Patty graduated from Elk County Christian High School in 1974, where she had met Mary Jo Scott, her most beloved lifelong friend.

In 1978, she graduated from Carlow College in Pittsburgh with a B.S. degree in Speech and Language Pathology. Patty returned to St. Marys and worked for Intermediate Unit VI. Her professionalism and charm endeared her to students, parents, and faculty alike.

With Holiday Valley a relatively short drive away, Patty joined the Continental Dividers Ski Club. There, she met her eventual husband Gregg, who had moved north from Indiana, PA, following college graduation.

Their relationship matured slowly but eventfully. Their first long date was a week-long canoe trip with a group of six St. Marys friends to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in the North Maine Woods. On that same trip, the group clambered up 5,269-foot-high Mt. Katahdin, the highest point in Maine. Patty passed both tests. To friends and family, she quietly confessed that she wasn’t quite sure what she was getting herself into.

In the annals of marriage proposals, Gregg’s might be considered “unique” in the truest definition of the word—one of a kind. In a cornfield beside the Shenango River, between rows of 10-foot-high September corn, the couple were searching for ancient Native American flint artifacts. Patty was thrilled when she discovered a beautiful corner-notched point. Overjoyed with her find, she picked it up and held it in her outstretched palm to show Gregg, who, at this point, was literally shaking and slightly light-headed. When she finally turned it over, in black letters on a white background was deftly printed, “Be My Love Forever.” Her face registered bewilderment before she asked, “Does this mean what I think it means?” And so it has been.

On July 25, 1987, the two were married on a sweltering day at Queen of the World Church in St. Marys. Patty was escorted down the aisle by her oldest brother Mike. Bridesmaids included Patty’s three sisters and close friends Mary Jo Scott and Marlene Benini. Naturally, Gregg’s outdoor pals served as groomsmen.

For their honeymoon, they spent three weeks car-camping in Alaska—exploring, tenting, hiking, fishing, and burning through roll after roll of film throughout the Interior and the Kenai Peninsula. A highlight of their trip was a kayaking and camping excursion into Glacier Bay National Park. Amid calving glaciers, icebergs, and intense sun, Patty experienced her worst sunburn ever. She also nearly became an early widow when a large coastal black bear bluff charged her husband to within a dozen feet for invading its salmon fishing pool. Later, back in camp, Patty was thrilled to hear that story: the first of many to come.

Eventually, their careers brought them to Franklin, PA. In their spare time, Patty and Gregg earned their graduate degrees from Clarion and IUP, respectively. Patty completed her 39-year teaching career with the Titusville School District, where she touched the lives of many, many students, parents, and faculty. The unquestionable highlight of their 38-year union was raising their sons Matthew and Daniel. Patty loved her boys beyond measure. For many years, their chocolate lab, Lakota, also added immeasurably to family life.

While the boys were young, their annual vacations were car-camping throughout the “Lower 48,” especially out West, where they visited numerous National and State parks. The couple supported their sons in their Franklin and University of Pittsburgh educations, their high school sporting events, and Boy Scouting. Patty was a Cub Scout Den Mother, and both boys became Eagle Scouts. She also acted as chief salesperson on the couple’s Christmas tree farm.

Patty’s family is spread out mostly across the East, and they meant the world to her. Gregg was often amazed that a family of seven kids could stay connected without conflict. They all get along and will miss her profoundly.

Patty leaves behind a legacy of friends, especially within the triad of St. Marys, Franklin, and Pleasantville. There are far too many to mention, but you know who you are. She held a special place for you in her boundless, loving heart.

Patty is survived by her husband Gregg of Franklin; her sons Matthew and Daniel of Pittsburgh; brothers John of Pittsburgh, Tom (Beth) of Kingston, OH, Mike (Faith) of Raleigh, NC; her sisters and closest confidants Mary (Kirk) Evans of Frederick, MD, and Kathy of Raleigh, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sister Jane (Dave) Schaller of Rochester, MN, and her extraordinarily inspiring parents.

The family would like to extend special appreciation to Patty’s siblings; Dr. Shannon Penlin; Dr. David Andres; her entire Hospice team, especially Ashely, Linda and Abby; Mary Jo Scott; Marlene Benini; Julie Witman; Dan and Linda Gerber; Tom, Cyndy and Ellie Betts; Pete and Karen Bendt; Chuck and Ruth Benedict; Cindy and Dean Collins; Maureen and Bill Hager; Katelyn Grossman; Joy Deemer; Kathy Adelman; and Lisa Smith in the Giant Eagle bakery, who brightened many of Patty’s days with her amazingly creative cake designs. A multitude of friends and relatives from near and far supported and expressed their love during her two-year illness. For that, Gregg, Matthew, and Daniel are grateful.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 312 W Park St, Franklin where a private vigil service will be held on May 29, 2026.

On May 30, 2026, a Catholic mass, co-celebrated by Father James Campbell and Father Kyle Seyler, will be held at St. Patrick Parish, 952 Buffalo St., in Franklin at 11:00 A.M. Directly following the service, a catered lunch will be served in Cenedella Hall, directly behind the church. All who knew and loved Patty will not be surprised to find Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Pepsi in abundance.

From now through May 1, 2026, please text or call Gregg at 814-493-1573 if you plan to attend or have questions. Patty would have expected you to be there to share stories and make new friends. At Patty’s request, in lieu of flowers or cards, memorial donations can be made in her name to Allegheny Valley Trails Association, P.O. Box 264, Franklin, PA 16323, or to Franklin Public Library, 421 12th Street, Franklin, PA16323. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.huffguthrie.com,

In prayer, we thank God for allowing us to be touched by Patty’s unlimited love. Because we knew her, we have been changed for good.