Obituary of Patricia Virginia Houck

Age 104, passed away in Elmira, New York, on June 29, 2024 after living a long and productive life. Patricia was born in Elmira, the daughter of Stephen and Rose (Nick) Rohel. She is predeceased by her husband, Eugene Babcock Houck; brothers, Donald Rohel (who died at sea during World War ll) and William Rohel. Patricia is survived by daughters, Rita M. Hawkins with husband William of Potomac Falls, Virginia, and Judith L. Houck-Dove with husband John of Falls Church, Virginia; grandchildren, Courtney and husband Patrick Endress, Lindsey and husband Nelson Santos, Natalie and husband Heath Collins, and Jonathan Dove; great-grandchildren, Harper and Finley Endress, Ryan Santos, Chloe and Corbin Collins; nephew Don Rohel; and nieces, Karen Rohel, and Marlene and husband Ken Drehmer. Patricia was a devout Catholic and longtime communicant of St. Charles Borromeo and St Mary Our Mother Church. Practicing her faith and worship were important daily rituals throughout her life. She enjoyed nature and being outdoors. She had a lifelong fondness for Waneta and Keuka Lakes, enjoying time at family cottages on both lakes. Patricia was an active person well beyond retirement. She always enjoyed bowling and was an avid golfer into her early nineties. She even began cross country skiing in her seventies. She spent 24 years working for Westinghouse, which she was particularly proud of, and had many fond memories. She was on the leading edge of technology at Westinghouse, working on such important projects as the Norden bombsight. She earned the gratitude of her employer when she developed a process to repair failed circuit boards instead of discarding them – this was a huge savings for Westinghouse. In addition, the friendships she formed while at Westinghouse lasted decades, and she always looked forward to her Westinghouse luncheons and reunions. A private family service will be held. Patricia will be buried next to her husband, Eugene, in St. Peter & Paul’s Cemetery. Those wishing to honor and remember Patricia may do so with a donation to: St Mary Our Mother Roman Catholic Church 816 West Broad Street Horseheads, NY 14845 (https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/stmaryourmotherhorseheads), or Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA, 2435 St Route 352, Elmira, NY 14903 https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E230522&id=6