Patricia Saker

Patricia Anne Saker: March 5, 1927-July 17, 2025

Patricia Anne Saker was born March 5, 1927, to Richard George and Alice Elum Abowd at the family home in Fostoria, Ohio. Proud descendants of Lebanon, Alice and Richard lovingly raised their seven children and ran the family business, the New Hotel Ohio.

Patricia graduated from Saint Wendelin High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in music at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She earned a master’s degree in music theory from the University of Michigan where she learned to play every instrument in the orchestra. She taught music in elementary schools for eight years in Monroe, Michigan, then in Fostoria.

Patricia married Theodore Richard Saker on Aug. 30, 1958. They moved to Columbus where they raised their seven children and were among the founding parishioners of Saint Andrew Church in Upper Arlington. They enjoyed many happy years there and, later, many winters at their condo in South Palm Beach, Florida, where they loved to entertain family and friends. On Aug. 30, 2008, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, an event that honored their long love affair.

Patricia dedicated her life, an enduring example of compassionate love, to her family. She was a masterful cook, seamstress, gardener, and organizer of activities and events. She pursued her passion for music for herself and taught all her children to read music and play the piano, flute, oboe, violin, cello, and guitar. Her extraordinary ability to teach the love of music was matched by her legendary patience and her magical ability to get people to practice.

An avid reader, she loved her newspaper, mastered the cryptoquote, and enjoyed the novels of Taylor Caldwell. Patricia enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, playing the piano and organ, trips to antique malls, nice lunches, and every moment with her children and grandchildren. She loved visits with her beloved siblings.

In addition to her parents and husband, Patricia was predeceased by her siblings and their spouses: Richard Abowd, Jr. (Sara), Philip Abowd (Virginia), Margaret (Simon), and Mary Alice (Camille).

Survivors include her children: Anne Saker, Theodore VI (Desiree), Victoria Woeste (Keith), Dennis (Julie), Denise Saker, Susan Stegman (Scott), and Alice Hrdy (David).

Also surviving are grandchildren Sarah, Theodore VII, and Anthony Saker; Helen, Joseph, Margaret, and Phillip Woeste; Samuel, Grace, Daniel, and Henry Kunkel; Luke, Audrey, and Natalie Stegman; Courtney, Martha, and James Hrdy; two great-grandchildren, Samira and Sophia Saker; brothers Thomas and George Abowd, many devoted nieces and nephews, and many friends.

The Saker family is grateful to Patricia’s devoted caregivers from Fidelity Healthcare and the Christian Village of Mason, and to Hospice of Cincinnati.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. July 21, 2025, at St. Susanna Catholic Church in Mason, preceded by visitation from 10-11 a.m. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. July 22, 2025, at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Warren, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.