Patsy "Pat" Jean (Swartz) Dunzik

Pat Dunzik, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at her home in Idaho Falls, ID. In her final days she was attended around the clock by her daughter, son, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

The family share a deep gratitude that she was able to remain in and spend her final days in her lovely apartment (attached to the Gougar residence), and surrounded by her loving family. The family owes a debt of gratitude to the Gougar family, especially Pat's daughter, MaryLou. It was only through her immense love, along with personal and professional sacrifices made by MaryLou, that Pat was able to remain at home as her health declined.

Today many families are unable to provide this gift to their dying loved ones. Pat's passing at home reminds us, that not too long ago, several generations often continued to live together. Caring for each other throughout their lives.

Through the magic of streaming music, she listened to her favorite singer (Frank Sinatra) both day and night in her final days.

Pat was born March 2, 1932, in Dauphin, PA, to George Walter Scott Swartz and Mabel Irene Lyter Swartz, the 6th of seven children, all of whom she survived. She attended Dauphin public school, which terminated at grade 11, and graduated from Harrisburg High.

On August 23, 1958, she married the love of her life, Charles "Chuck" R. Dunzik, in Dauphin, PA. Pat and Chuck made their home in central PA while Chuck earned a degree at Penn State University. In 1966, they moved to Mechanicsburg, PA, where Chuck began a high school teaching career. Pat stayed at home, caring for her "Number One Son", Scott Dennis, (now 65 years old), and daughter, Mary Lou, (now aged 59).

Tragically, Chuck died suddenly in April of 1967. After his death, Pat and her children moved to Millersburg, PA, where she lived for 31 years. In 1999 she moved to Idaho Falls, ID, to live with daughter Mary Lou, her husband, Hans D. Gougar, and Pat's two young grandchildren: Charles, and Bette. Helping to raise her grand children as their "Bubba" was her favorite job of all time.

Pat held membership in three doll clubs in both Idaho Falls and Harrisburg. She built an impressive doll collection over her lifetime, lending a museum like aura to her apartment. When her family and many friends traveled, they often brought home a doll for her collection. She loved animals, going for long walks (thrice daily until her recent illness), and visiting with family and friends.

She had a passion for travel: Israel twice, London and South Africa, both times to visit her daughter Mary Lou; and a memorable cruise to Alaska with her sister. She went annually on a family vacation to Ocean City, MD, where she chose to sleep on an outside deck so she could fall asleep to the sounds of the Atlantic Ocean. Pat was a beautiful person, and spread her love widely in this world to her family and friends both in Harrisburg and Dauphin PA, and Idaho Falls.

No description of Pat would be complete without noting her deep love for animals, especially dogs and cats. A quality she acquired from her father, then passed on to her children and grandchildren. She felt sad when visiting an animal shelter; it was hard for her to bear the fact that she could not take all the animals home.

Pat possessed a childlike sense of wonder and joy at the world around her. She found something to appreciate and enjoy every day of her life. In a recent phone call she expressed her fascination as she observed branches in the trees outside her window swaying gently with each new breeze.

Although she never achieved her dream of becoming a school teacher, many of her jobs over the years involved caring for children and special need adults. She instilled the importance and value of education into her children, who took it to heart. Scott became the first MD (in psychiatry) in the family and Mary Lou the first PhD (in nuclear engineering).

She was a member of the Evangelical Congregational Church in Dauphin and Berrysburg, PA, and Trinity United Methodist Church in Idaho Falls, ID.

Pat is survived by her son, Scott Dennis Dunzik, MD, and his partner, Cynthia S Byers, of Haddonfield, NJ; daughter, Mary Lou Dunzik, son-in-law Hans Gougar and their children: Charlie Dunzik Gougar, and Bette Dunzik Gougar, who were precious to Pat. She had a number of nieces, nephews, and great nieces, Jeanie Wiseman Crowl of Elysburg, PA, Julie and Emily Swartz, daughters of brother Dennis (dec) and Sally Swartz, and Linda Swartz-Berkoben, and daughter of brother Dean (dec). All residents of Idaho Falls, ID.

Burial will be in the Dauphin (PA) Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Humane Society, which was near and dear to Pat's heart.