West Leechburg mourns the loss of longtime borough Secretary Pat Grantz
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The community of West Leechburg is mourning the loss of a longtime, steadfast borough employee.
Patricia Ann Grantz of West Leechburg died Feb. 7.
She was 82.
Grantz served as borough secretary and treasurer for 43 years.
“She was the rock that kept everything together,” West Leechburg Mayor Jim Gallucci said. “These are going to be big shoes to fill.
Gallucci posted a heartfelt tribute honoring Grantz on Wednesday on the official West Leechburg Borough Facebook page, describing her as a “pillar of knowledge” for the whole community.
“Her numerous accomplishments and acts of service during her time are too numerous to mention,” Gallucci wrote. “The borough thanks her for her many years of service and offers condolences to all family and friends.”
Gallucci said he spoke with Grantz about five times a week over the past four decades.
“I’m going to miss those phone calls,” Gallucci said. “She was a fantastic lady.”
Grantz was born July 23, 1938, in New Kensington, the daughter of the late John and Margaret Zoldak.
She grew up in Apollo near Cherry Lane and graduated from Leechburg High School.
Her son, Tim Grantz, said his parents met while they were working at Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corp. (NUMEC) in Parks Township.
“They married in 1960,” Tim Grantz said. “My mom took the part-time borough secretary job, working from home, after I was born.”
Grantz worked at Allegheny Ludlum in West Leechburg before taking the job as borough secretary.
She served her community with Tim, a West Leechburg councilman, as is her grandson, Matthew.
“It was a family affair of service,” Tim Grantz said. “She always wanted to help, however, whatever, to get an answer to people’s questions.”
Grantz enjoyed baking, making nut rolls for church fundraisers and once took a wedding cake course, but she was known for her homemade fudge.
“She had a chocolate-and-peanut butter fudge, and everyone remembers her fudge,” Grantz said.
West Leechburg resident Christina Hosler said Grantz was always kind and helpful.
“Pat was an unsung jewel in our small town,” Hosler said. “It’s indicative of the kind of people that live in West Leechburg.”
Grantz was a member of the former St. Martha’s Parish in Leechburg and most recently, Christ The King Parish in Gilpin.
Tim said his mother enjoyed her annual two-week road trips with Paul, her husband of 60 years, and her only son.
“We drove out west to places like Colorado, the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore,” Grantz said.
Gallucci said a moment of silence in honor of Grantz was held during Wednesday’s council meeting, which Gallucci described as “melancholy.”
“She was always there for us when we needed her,” Gallucci said. “Her work ethic was meticulous.”
Memorial donations in honor of Grantz can be made to the West Leechburg Memorial Fund, 1015 Plazak St., West Leechburg, PA 15656.