CHARLTON – Patricia M. “Patty” (May) Motyka, 75, died Monday, March 31, 2025 in UMass/Memorial Healthcare, Worcester.
She leaves her husband of over 50 years, Deacon Peter J. Motyka; 2 sons, Matthew S. Motyka and his wife Ashlee of Hoover, AL, and Andrew R. Motyka and his wife Julie of Indianapolis, IN; a daughter, Laurie J. Richer and her husband Timothy of Northboro; 8 grandchildren, Mary, Lucy, Thomas, Abigail, Audrey and Stephen Motyka, and Joshua and Jacob Richer; a brother, David A. May and his wife Linda of Bloomsburg, PA; 2 sisters, Paula J. Kirchenbauer and her husband William of Belvedere, NJ and Carol F. Finley and her husband Robert of Northampton, PA; several nieces and nephews.
She was born on August 31, 1949 in Paterson, NJ, a daughter of Russell and Joan (VanDuren) May and raised there. She graduated from East Side High School in 1966. In 1985, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting for Nichols College in Dudley, graduating as class valedictorian. She moved to this area in 1976 and has lived in Charlton for four years.
Mrs. Motyka worked as an accountant at small firms and retired as the assistant director of financial aid at Nichols College in 2013.
She was a communicant of Saint Louis Church in Webster and belonged to the Saint Louis League of Catholic Women. At the parish, she co-taught the confirmation class, was active in the RCIA program, served as a lector and eucharistic minister, sang alto in the choir and was a member of the Partners in Charity Committee. She was the treasurer of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society for many years.
Patty was a member of the Harrington Hospital Auxiliary and served as the chairperson of its scholarship committee. She also was a former member of the parish council of Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Dudley when she worshipped there. She liked crocheting, swimming, yoga and traveling. Her favorite time was spent with family, especially with her grandchildren and friends.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, April 5, from the Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake Street, Webster. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, April 4, and again on Saturday from 8:45 to 9:30 AM in the funeral home. Donations in her name may be made to either Saint Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Sacred Heart Church, 18 East Main Street, Webster, MA 01570 or to Catholic Charities. 10 Hammond Street, Worcester, MA 01610.