Obituary of Patricia Nancy Licata-Amantia

Patricia N. Licata-Amantia, born in Vandergrift, PA, on September 4th. Patricia (Pat) passed into God’s loving embrace on December 16, 2023 and rejoins in heaven her beloved parents Felix and Elizabeth Colecchi Licata; a brother and five sisters, Rudolph Licata, Julia Licata, Olga Bognanno, Antonette Licata Wendleton, and Geneva Deslauries and Gloria Gallo. She is survived by her son, Franciscan Father Damian (Shawn) Amantia,TOR, and nieces and nephews. She was a perfect mother, aunt and friend. She was a lady of intelligence, love, humility, grace, and beauty which reflected in her dress, manner, home and the mutual love of her family and many friends. My mother had a tremendous strength and resilience. She was tough but compassionate, loving but determined in every aspect of her life. She knew she could achieve anything she set her mind to and she was fearless. She was highly respected by everyone whose lives she touched. My mother had a special gift of caring about others. She could not pass anyone anywhere who was in need without doing everything in her power to help them and improve their situation. Mom enjoyed being with family, at the ocean, listening to the rain and being there when someone was in need. However, how does a son explain his loss to others of the woman who loved him beyond measure? The woman who always had time for him and supported him in his vocation? The words on a grave stone of “Loving mother” are insufficient for others to know who my mother was. They’ll never know the inner beauty and strength that kept her smiling even though she was hurting inside. It doesn’t explain what her passions were, what her favorite foods were and what her favorite color was. How does a son replace the light of a beautiful woman he called mother? My mother was a devote Catholic. She prayed the Psalms daily along with a rosary. Before her entrance into eternal peace, she quoted I Corinthians 15:1-58. “Realize that you will see all those we love again and this will seem like a distant dream.” Dearest of mothers, aunt and friend you will be missed by us and remain forever in our hearts. “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the love of a mother.” Saint Thérèse of Lisieux In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org