Patricia M. Vrabel, 71, of Boiling Springs, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, May 17, 2010, in her home with family by her side. She was born on Sunday, May 7, 1939, in Carlisle, and was a daughter of the late Francis J. and Catherine M. (Hoover) Mahoney.

Pat graduated from the former Harrisburg Catholic High School in 1957 and attended Harrisburg Area Community College. She retired from Dickinson College in Carlisle and had previously worked for the PA Turnpike Commission and the former United Telephone Co., Carlisle. Pat was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Carlisle. She enjoyed doing volunteer work, playing bridge and cards, reading, music, people and traveling.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of nearly 51 years, Joseph T. Vrabel, a son, Joseph J. (and his wife, Heather) Vrabel of Jacksonville, FL, a daughter, Susan F. (and her husband, Vincent) Zvorsky of New Cumberland, two brothers; Francis J. Mahoney, II (and his wife, Patricia) of Valpariso, IN and J. Dennis (and his wife, Judith) Mahoney of Boiling Springs, six grandchildren; Catherine, Joseph and Irene Zvorsky and Casey, Victoria and Joseph Vrabel, several nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 21, 2010, in St. Patrick Catholic Church, 85 Marsh Dr., Carlisle with Rev. Daniel J. Menniti officiating. Burial will be private in St. Patrick New Catholic Cemetery, Carlisle. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 6 - 8:00 p.m. in the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.