Patricia Ann (Burnside) Scaffidi

April 19, 1934-September 5, 2026. 

Beloved wife of the late Joseph Scaffidi. Beloved daughter of the late Dale and Marie (Grandish) Burnside. Sister to the late Judith Daniels and Alice (Jack) Harrington. Mother of Josephine Scaffidi, Laura (Jeffrey) Kopczynski, the late Anthony Scaffidi, Sandra (Charlie "Cha Cha" Purpero) Scaffidi, and Nicholas Scaffidi. Grandmother to Corinn (Sergio) Altomare, Justin Kopczynski, Joe Scaffidi, Katie Mae Scaffidi, Samantha Siwieck, and Katia Scaffidi. Great- grandmother to Lilly, Melody, and Harmony Scaffidi; and Stella Pia Altomare. Aunt of Jenny (Doc) Kerley, the late Peggy (Gene) Theisen, and Annette (Dave) Schmocker. Cousin to the late Buddy Grandish; the late Dawn and the late Pam Grandish; Susan Johnson, the late Kathryn Strand and Mary Nicholson; the late Richard Grandish; the late Debbie (Mike) Nemacheck, Jeff Cox; Kate Kirk, Barb Kirk and Jan (Mike) Hamilton; Mike (the late Delle) Diamon, David Diamon, and Dan (Cam) Diamon.

Patricia was born in Ashland, WI, growing up in Cudahy, living the majority of her life there. She began teaching elementary school while her children were still in school. She was best known as Cudahy’s Kindergarten Teacher. Teaching at Lincoln, Washington, J.E. Jones, Park View, and General Mitchell Elementary Schools, she had over 35 years with Cudahy Public Schools. Her passion and knowledge of teaching overflowed in everyday conversations and with everyone she met.

One of the highlights early in her life was when her family moved to Montana for a year to do church missionary work on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation in Box Elder. The experience had a significant impact on her life and was something that remained forever near and dear to her heart.

Patricia’s second love was the Church and sharing God’s plan for all of us. She was an Ordained Lay Minister and regularly was part of Bible Study classes, leading discussions and developing curriculum pertaining to the books of the Bible to study; she taught Catechism classes, inspiring and strengthening young people’s faith. For many years, Patricia also sang in the Church Choir; she played the piano and oftentimes had everyone joining in.

Holidays were a special time as families gathered, spending time catching up and exchanging events in each other's lives. Food was always included, whether it was spaghetti sauce and meatballs, fresh-baked Italian bread, or Italian anise and chocolate spice cookies. No one went away hungry. 

After moving from the Layton Avenue house to Pennsylvania Avenue and the installation of the pool, many summers were spent swimming, barbecuing chicken or sausage. Speaking of sausage – we’d be remiss not to mention the sausage-making escapades! Summers also brought gardening; fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, kohlrabi, and green beans. There were always enough tomatoes to be canned for the winter season of spaghetti sauces. The backyard fence was festooned with grape vines, and although we never made wine, the concord grapes were used for making jams and jellies.

She crewed aboard the “Patsy Ann” regularly on Lake Michigan, fishing and enjoying the beautiful Lake.

Visitation: 11:00 - 1:00 pm September 14th

Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church

4850 S. Lake Drive Cudahy WI 53110

Service: 1:00 -2:00 pm - Private Interment September 15th, Forest Hill Cemetery