Patricia Colaizzi Lang

January 7, 1957 to July 17, 2026

Born in Pittsburgh, PA and lived the last 20+ years in Massillon.

“

How did Patty meet Fred? She interviewed him for a job at People's Natural Gas... "Hire him? I'd like to marry him!"

She was preceded in death by mother, "Geegs" and father, Dan; daughter, Hope Margaret Lang. Survived by loving husband, Fred Lang.

Patty Colaizzi passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 17 at 69 years old. Patty was one of a kind - sharp, funny, and never afraid to say what she thought, in any situation, to anyone. But most importantly she was a loyal friend and generous to those she loved. Patty always showed up for the people who mattered to her.

One of the most important people in her life was her husband, Fred (or Freb, with Patty everyone had a nickname and you wore it as a badge of honor.) How did Patty meet Fred? She interviewed him for a job at People's Natural Gas, and when HR asked afterward whether she wanted to hire him, Patty didn't miss a beat: "Hire him? I'd like to marry him!" She did, eventually, marry him.

Patty was a lifelong Steelers fan, she carried her Pittsburgh roots with her even after moving to Ohio, much to the delight of the Browns fans on her staff. The two sides made a standing bet: whoever's team lost that week had to wear an aluminum foil hat to work the next day. (It should be noted that Patty herself never had to don a foil hat.)

In later years, Patty devoted herself to caring for her own parents, seeing them through the last chapter of their lives with the same loyalty she gave everyone she loved.

Patty carried real grief in her life, especially after losing her daughter, Hope Margaret, and those years were not easy for her. Even so, she kept finding her way back to laughter and to the people and animals she loved.

Patty was larger than life, well versed in Three Stooges quips, loved Pavarotti, spoke fluent Pittsburghese, was always ready for a laugh, adored her Pomeranian pups (especially Pommes Frites), and was eminently quotable.

There are many, but on of her favorites was "you could make an onion cry." Well, there are tears now because we have lost a loving wife, mother, and friend; but we will also shed tears of laughter and joy as we remember Patty.

She was one of a kind and will be deeply missed.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.heitger.com

Heitger Funeral Home and Crematory 330-833-3248