Born in Warren, Patricia Perunko and her family moved to Akron, where she graduated from Buchtel High School in 1952. She became a clerical worker at Motor Cargo in Richfield. When she married Thomas Gilbow in 1961, she became a full-time wife and mother who was especially devoted to caring for a child with severe developmental disabilities for 16 years. Patricia was an active volunteer and PTA member at Jackson School, and she and Thomas were also active members of St. Martha Church (now Blessed Trinity) in activities ranging from parish retreats to the St. Vincent dePaul Society.

Preceded in death by her husband Thomas, her son Michael and her sister Dorothy Crano, all of Akron, she leaves another son, Sean Gilbow of Akron, as well as a sister, Mary Ellen Walters of Milton, Del., and brother Paul Perunko of Hebron, Md.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 7 pm Monday at St. Bernard Church, 44 University Ave. Akron.  Burial has already taken place at Northlawn Memorial Gardens.