Patricia Wanek Lorio

February 9, 1937 - November 11, 2021

Patricia June Wanek Lorio, 84, died Wednesday, November 11, 2021, at Shads Landing in Charlotte, NC. The visitation will be 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at James Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC. Mrs. Lorio was born on February 9, 1937, in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of the late Harry Edward “Bud” and Evelyn Cecilia Sack Wanek. Patricia graduated from Catholic High School in Pensacola, FL. She attended Webster College in St. Louis and received her Registered Nursing degree from Hotel Dieu Hospital School of Nursing, New Orleans. After years of practice as a Labor and Delivery nurse, she returned to academics at Millsaps College and completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS. A longtime resident of Jackson, Mrs. Lorio was a faithful communicant at St. Richard Catholic Church since 1966. She served her church through many volunteer activities, including missionary work in Saltillo, Mexico, small faith group leader, and fund raiser committee member. She actively served her community in many ways, including serving as Girl Scout leader and lifetime member, fund raiser for Jackson Preparatory School, dedicated volunteer for the Mississippi Ballet and the International Ballet Association as well as the International Arts Exhibits, where she was awarded several medallions for the maximum number of hours worked as a volunteer. As a member of the Jackson Country Club since 1966, she was an avid swimmer, tennis and bridge player. She truly enjoyed her special activities with her family and many friends as she would spend hours sharing stories and her abundant family photo albums. Mrs. Lorio cherished spending time with her late husband, children and grandchildren, and will be remembered by her family as a loving, devoted mother and grandmother. Survivors include her daughter, Dr. D'Ette Lorio Pitre and her husband, Dr. Brian R. Pitre, of Ocean Springs, MS; son, Francis "Franz" René Lorio Jr. and his wife, Laurie Rose Lorio, of Charlotte, N.C.; grandchildren, Kendall Cherie Pitre and Camille Elise Pitre, both of Ocean Springs, and Anne Frances Lorio and Whitney Grace Lorio, both of Charlotte. She also is survived by her sister, Sally Wanek Beste of San Jose, CA; brothers Joe Wanek of Pensacola, FL, John Wanek of San Jose, CA, James Wanek of Columbia, SC and William Wanek of San Jose, CA and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Lorio was preceded in death by her husband, Francis René Lorio, Sr. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon, November 14, at James Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC. Burial will be held in December at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, MS. James Funeral Home of Huntersville, NC is serving the family of Mrs. Lorio and online condolences can be made to jamesfuneralhomelkn.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: https://www.osvhub.com/stmarknc/funds