Patricia A. “Pat” Prill

Patricia A. “Pat” Prill, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, passed away March 15 after a brief illness. She was 81.

Born in Detroit, Michigan March 13, 1942, she is reunited with her beloved husband, Paul Prill, and her parents John and Olga Pilarski, who preceded her in death. She is survived by daughter Tracey Slife (Jim), son Eric Prill (Robin), grandchildren Abby and Alex Slife and Maxton Prill, brother Jack Pilarski (Paula), sister Mary Ellen Nagrocki (Rick), nephews Ian Pilarski and Tim Nagrocki (Kelly) and aunt Mary Frank.

Pat grew up in Redford Township, Michigan, graduating with the Thurston High School class of 1959 before attending Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a degree in Education. She later added a master’s degree in education from Kent State University in 1993.

Pat and Paul were married in 1965 and began raising their family outside of Detroit before relocating to Ohio in Milford, Hudson and finally Cuyahoga Falls. The Prills were actively involved with the Hudson athletic and band booster groups, always supporting the activities of their children.

Pat, Paul and their kids spent many weekends at racetracks with the Sports Car Club of America, establishing life-long friendships along the way. While Paul raced, Pat would volunteer to support and organize the events, with both holding leadership roles with their local SCCA Regions in Detroit, Cincinnati and northeast Ohio. Pat would have celebrated her 50^th year of SCCA membership this October, was inducted into the Neohio Region SCCA Hall of Fame in 2022 and honored with her fellow “Lunch Ladies” with a Neohio Trustees Award just last month.

Pat retired from the Hudson (Ohio) School district in 2004, having focused her teaching career on special needs students and as a speech pathologist. She retired early to care for Paul, who battled multiple sclerosis until his passing in 2010.

In her retirement, Pat kept busy with her neighborhood sewing group, the sisters of Alpha Krappa, attended Firestone Park Christian Church, volunteered with the Good Neighbors Community Outreach and Food Center, supported SCCA and spent time with her beloved family and friends. Despite being a long-time Ohioan, she was a life-long Michigan Wolverines fan, enjoyed cheering on the Cleveland Browns and was the biggest fan of anything her children or grandchildren were a part of—be it track and field, soccer, auto racing, theater, charity work or academics.

She lived a wonderful life, mentored and supported many, loved and was loved. She will be missed, but her family is comforted to know that she is reunited with Paul in heaven.

Pat’s wishes are to be cremated and for her ashes to be spread along with Paul’s. The family will hold a celebration of life in her honor later this year. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to Good Neighbors in Goodyear Heights at 1453 Goodyear Blvd, Akron, Ohio 44305-4170 or https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=HH67XYDVFMX7N.