Obituary for Florence C. "Pat" Hludik
Florence Cecilia (McDowell) Hludik, 103, of Wells, went home to be with her Lord at peace and with her family by her side on Sunday, April 10, 2022. She was lovingly called Pat, Mom, Gram, and GiGi. She was born on November 4, 1918, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Clarence and Mary (Kelly) McDowell. She had five siblings: Dorothy McDowell Savage, John McDowell, Theresa McDowell Eastburn, Marie McDowell Cavileer and Elmer McDowell. She graduated from St. Vincent’s Catholic School in Philadelphia.
Pat met and married Francis C. Hludik, while working at his Howard Johnson’s Restaurant in Philadelphia. They were married for nearly 60 years before his death in 1992. In their early years together they owned several Howard Johnson’s Restaurants and a Dunkin Donuts in Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. Pat and Frank owned and operated the well-known Howard Johnson’s in Wells from the late 1940s until 1982. They had three sons Francis Charles Hludik, Jr, John Michael Hludik and William Edward Hludik. It was no easy feat to raise three boys and run the restaurant. At Howard Johnson’s, Pat managed the front of the house, keeping customers happy and staff well-trained.
Pat always succeeded in getting things done, no matter what it was, for those who needed it. Whether it was at work, at home, at St. Mary’s Church or in her community, she offered her helping hand. She put others first and was thankful for everything. For many years she was the treasurer of the St. Mary’s Altar Sodality. She organized and helped to prepare many a supper, reception or special meal at church. Pat was an inspiration to all who knew her.
It was her lifelong desire to play the organ. When they moved from the apartment above the restaurant into their own home, Frank surprised her with an organ and arranged for lessons. Her grandchildren tell the great-grandchildren about Gram playing the organ and singing them to sleep when they would stay overnight.
At home she was a gracious hostess, preparing perfect holiday feasts to please all who sat around her table. Pat loved keeping track of the wildlife in her backyard performing their seasonal routines. She enjoyed sitting on her deck watching deer, birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and turkeys as they stopped by her feeder. Summer through fall, Pat tended the flowers and tomatoes as they grew in her planters. Most recently, she spent her happiest times with family and beloved caregivers reminiscing and commenting on her plants on her kitchen table by the west window.
She is predeceased by her husband Francis Hludik Sr, her son, William Hludik in 2018, and her siblings.
Pat is survived by her son Frank Jr. and his wife Dianne and her son John; grandchildren: Julie Hludik Racine; Erika Hludik Clark, her husband Jim; Karen Hludik; Michael Hludik, his wife Beverly; and Jason Hludik; great-grandchildren: Dillon Racine, Mollie Hludik, Avery Clark, Teagan Hludik, Teddy Clark and Hayden Hludik; and great-nephew Adam Struve.
There will be a Celebration of Life Mass held on Tuesday, April 26 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Wells with a Committal Service at Ocean View Cemetery and a Gathering of Family and Friends immediately following at Hobbs Harborside Restaurant.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the food pantry at St. Mary’s Church 236 Eldridge Rd, Wells ME. 04090 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence please visit Pat’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Rd. Wells, ME 04090.
Pat met and married Francis C. Hludik, while working at his Howard Johnson’s Restaurant in Philadelphia. They were married for nearly 60 years before his death in 1992. In their early years together they owned several Howard Johnson’s Restaurants and a Dunkin Donuts in Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. Pat and Frank owned and operated the well-known Howard Johnson’s in Wells from the late 1940s until 1982. They had three sons Francis Charles Hludik, Jr, John Michael Hludik and William Edward Hludik. It was no easy feat to raise three boys and run the restaurant. At Howard Johnson’s, Pat managed the front of the house, keeping customers happy and staff well-trained.
Pat always succeeded in getting things done, no matter what it was, for those who needed it. Whether it was at work, at home, at St. Mary’s Church or in her community, she offered her helping hand. She put others first and was thankful for everything. For many years she was the treasurer of the St. Mary’s Altar Sodality. She organized and helped to prepare many a supper, reception or special meal at church. Pat was an inspiration to all who knew her.
It was her lifelong desire to play the organ. When they moved from the apartment above the restaurant into their own home, Frank surprised her with an organ and arranged for lessons. Her grandchildren tell the great-grandchildren about Gram playing the organ and singing them to sleep when they would stay overnight.
At home she was a gracious hostess, preparing perfect holiday feasts to please all who sat around her table. Pat loved keeping track of the wildlife in her backyard performing their seasonal routines. She enjoyed sitting on her deck watching deer, birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and turkeys as they stopped by her feeder. Summer through fall, Pat tended the flowers and tomatoes as they grew in her planters. Most recently, she spent her happiest times with family and beloved caregivers reminiscing and commenting on her plants on her kitchen table by the west window.
She is predeceased by her husband Francis Hludik Sr, her son, William Hludik in 2018, and her siblings.
Pat is survived by her son Frank Jr. and his wife Dianne and her son John; grandchildren: Julie Hludik Racine; Erika Hludik Clark, her husband Jim; Karen Hludik; Michael Hludik, his wife Beverly; and Jason Hludik; great-grandchildren: Dillon Racine, Mollie Hludik, Avery Clark, Teagan Hludik, Teddy Clark and Hayden Hludik; and great-nephew Adam Struve.
There will be a Celebration of Life Mass held on Tuesday, April 26 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Wells with a Committal Service at Ocean View Cemetery and a Gathering of Family and Friends immediately following at Hobbs Harborside Restaurant.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the food pantry at St. Mary’s Church 236 Eldridge Rd, Wells ME. 04090 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence please visit Pat’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Rd. Wells, ME 04090.