Patricia McMillan (nee Dubatowka) of Longwood, FL went home to the Lord on Thursday March 13, 2025 in Orlando, FL after a hospitalization attended to by her adoring husband Robert, and beloved son Matthew, both of Longwood. She was 78 years old.
Patricia was a parishioner of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs.
Mrs. McMillan was born on November 26, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY, to Aleck and Virginia Dubatowka (Quirke). Settling in New Jersey, she graduated Immaculate Conception High School in 1964 and graduated from Georgian Court College in 1968 with a B.A. in Elementary Education
Patricia married Robert McMillan in Bergenfield, NJ on June 27, 1970. Upon Robert’s discharge from the Air Force, they made a home in Longwood, Florida in 1977 raising their son, Matthew.
Of her 38 years as a teacher, Patricia taught first grade for 29 years at St. Mary Magdalen School in Altamonte Springs educating a generation of children with an enthusiastic and joyful spirit, especially encouraging a love of creative writing.
Patricia was an award winning freelance writer publishing articles in education periodicals including Today’s Catholic Teacher, children’s stories including The Missing Valentine in Highlights for Children, I Want An Iguana in Creative Classroom. and prayers like Challenger: A Teacher’s Prayer.
The family finds great comfort in knowing that Patricia is reunited with her mother Virginia, father Aleck, and brother Stephen. How she loved her family! She brought great joy to family holiday celebrations whether at home in Florida with the McMillans or her many visits to Cold Spring and Shelter Island, NY.
She authored so many memories for those who will miss her, husband, Robert & Son, Matthew. The McMillan Family: James, Sharon, Kelly, Brian, and Marilyn.. Siblings: Deborah Anilonis (Donald), Dennis Dubatowka (Nancy), Daniel Dubatowka (Sherry), and Sue Spratt (James.)
Nieces & Nephews: Kristine Anilonis Bray (Eric, deceased), Mark Anilonis, Dustin Dubatowka (Karen), Sarah Pattis (Chris), Stephen Dubatowka (Heather), Emily Brennan (Thomas), Meghan Burnham (David), Peter Spratt.
Throughout her life Patricia had a special affection for animals which she expressed in her writing and her daily life. She leaves behind her faithful Freckles who “put the treat in treatment” for her successful fight against cancer. She had a special place in her heart for all the dogs in her life, Rocky, Rambo, Shadow, Spock, Woofer, Toby, Oliver, Lucky, Lucy, Clare, Ben, and many more. Wherever she wandered she was heralded by unbridled enthusiasm of wagging tails and prancing puppy toes anticipating reward.
Friends may call on Monday April 28th at a Vigil (Time & Location TBD). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday April 29, 2025 at 12:00PM at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Altamonte Springs. Inurnment will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens, Apopka.
Patricia was a steadfast supporter of the work of her son in the community: In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting:
Catholic Lawyers Guild of Central Florida Scholarship Fund through the Catholic Foundation of Central Florida
https://cfcf.iphiview.com/cfcf/Fundholders/AccountInformation/tabid/495/dispatch/accountselection_id$15338_hash$ce93d5230f5bb7a510ae4683a55ef2d6a6ce5926/Default.aspx or Rescue Outreach Mission, Seminole County’s only emergency homeless shelter https://romcfl.org/donate/