Patricia Joan Scott

Patricia Joan Scott passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, January 28th, 2024. A Duluth native, Pat was born on August 28th,1931, to parents Joseph and Clementine Spehar. After graduating from Duluth Denfeld High School, she attended nursing school and began a long career caring for others, starting at St. Mary’s Hospital. Pat married fellow Denfeld alumni Robert T. Scott on September 22nd, 1951, at St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in Morgan Park. This perfect pair began their adventure together, living in Duluth, then Hoyt Lakes, back to Morgan Park, then to Chisholm, and finally to their dream home on Whiteface Reservoir. 

Bob and Pat celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage, and loved and raised five children; John (Peggy) Scott, Mary Jo (John) Nickila, Robert “Tim” (Sandi) Scott, Theresa (Mike) Kucera, and Patrick (Tina) Scott.

Being a nurse brought her so much happiness; Pat loved her career as an LPN all the way up until she retired at the age of 68 from the Mesaba Clinic where she worked for twenty years. Even after retirement, she never stopped using her skills for every cut and scrape her grandkids endured. 

The Scotts traveled all over, and threw the greatest parties, and created so much joy for everyone. They loved celebrating for any reason, and their house was always the place to be. Pat could often be found whipping up a holiday inspired dish, Italian cuisine, cookies and dessert, and her true labor of love - potica - if people were lucky. 

One part of their lives they both took pride in was their friendships, including those with their Supper Club; the same eight couples from their high school days planned and met for dinner every other month for 57 years. Pat loved her bridge club in Chisholm, maintaining those friendships over many years. She belonged to the Slovenian Women’s Union and was a devout Catholic, rarely missing Sunday mass. She loved traveling with Bob all over the U.S., always bringing home the perfect souvenirs.

In 1958, the Scotts purchased property on Whiteface Reservoir which turned into a decision that would enrich more than just their lives. What began as a camping place turned into a cabin in the 1960’s and then to a lake home in 1994. This place became the location for the annual “Scotts Labor Day Sleep-In” starting in 1969, which still continues. Most families look forward to major holidays, but this family looked forward to Labor Day reunion weekend more than any other. Bob and Pat not only created fun with games, singing, serious Smear card competitions, and themed days, they created a lasting bond for their family. Because of their efforts, their families came together every year to have fun and build lasting relationships. 

Pat is survived by her five children; siblings, Gerald (Kathy) Spehar, Richard (Cathy Eliason) Spehar: sister-in-law, Judy Spehar; grandchildren, Joe, Michelle, Ryan, Anne, Rob, Ben, Sheena, Erin, Allison, Abby, Katie, Jacob, Chris, Neal and their significant others; and 16 great grandchildren. She had a wonderfully large family including many nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, and many friends. Pat is joining her husband, parents, and brother Mike Spehar as an angel. Pat never wanted the party to end and we know there is a celebration happening in the Heavens, as they just gained a vibrant soul.

Services will be held on Monday, February 5th, 2024, with a visitation from 9:30-11 a.m. and funeral mass at 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 715 N. 57th Avenue West, Duluth, Minnesota 55807. Interment is at Oneota Cemetery. Her family would like to give special thanks to the compassionate caregivers at Edgewood Vista. Memorials may be directed to the Greater Denfeld Foundation https://denfeldfdn.com/. 

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555. Please visit www.dfhduluth.com to sign the online guestbook.