Patricia Kowalski, nee Geraghty
Services
Obituary
Patricia Kowalski, nee Geraghty, age 88 of LaGrange Park, formerly of Chicago. Beloved wife of the late Thaddeus ‘Ted” Kowalski; loving mother of David (Michele) Kowalski and Neil Kowalski; devoted grandmother of Alexandra, Evelyn, Rachel and Anna; dear sister of Dolores (the late Donald) Hickey, Eileen Geraghty and the late Mary (the late Hubert) Annen, Michael (the late Kathleen) Geraghty, Catherine (the late William) Paterson and Barbara (John) Duffin; the beautiful and clever Aunt Patsy to many nieces and nephews.
Lying in State Friday, March 25, 2022 from 9:00 A.M. to time of Mass 11:00 A.M. at the Alexine Chapel, 1515 W. Ogden Ave. LaGrange Park. Please enter the Chapel by using the Eastside entrance.
A live stream of the Service will be available to be viewed at www.memorialslive.com/kowalski a few minutes before the time of Service at 11 A.M. If you are unable to participate during the live stream a recording will be available to be viewed at anytime and downloaded at the same link by day’s end on Monday.
Patricia Geraghty was born on January 26, 1934, the third child of Michael and Julia Geraghty. She grew up in St Margaret of Scotland Parish in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago and attended Longwood Academy High School. Patricia loved music from a young age, traveling alone on the bus and then the "L" train to piano lessons downtown. She would even play piano in the mornings at Most Holy Redeemer Church before school. She cherished her Geraghty siblings Mary, Michael, Rory, Kay, Barb and Eileen.
Patricia embraced her love of education in her 20s by teaching young people (she loved teenagers!) in both Davenport, Iowa and Danville, Illinois and then again later in life at Mt. Carmel High School and Morgan Park High School. She was a dedicated teacher, often calling parents just to let them know their child was excelling in her class.
While she was attending St. Mary's of Notre Dame and achieving her Master's Degree at the University of Notre Dame, she entered the Holy Cross Order and was known as Sister Benedict Labre. Upon leaving the order, she spent time teaching at the University of Illinois while pursuing course work for a PhD.
Patricia's dear friend Joyce Kopecky introduced her to the love of her life, Ted Kowalski in 1967. She stood him up on their first meeting, but Ted insisted she come out for one drink. The rest is history...Patricia and Ted married in October of 1968 and they were inseparable. Their marriage was filled with joy, laughter, and love, each pursuing their own interests but also supporting each other throughout their lives. They settled down on Cleveland Ave in Lincoln Park where they enjoyed the city and wonderful friends and neighbors. David was born in 1970 and Neil in 1974. Patricia was a fierce supporter of her sons. She fought to make sure they each had their educational needs taken care of...whether it be Hardey Prep, Cove, St Ignatius, or Lincoln Park High School.....she was on top of it. And like all of the "Geraghty women," you did not mess with her. Her dedication to her sons never wavered and was with her until the end.
On March 23, 2002 Patricia said that David made the best decision of his life by marrying Michele. Papa Ted and Grandma Music adored their four granddaughters, Alexandra, Evelyn, Rachel and Anna....constantly commenting, "four daughters, you are so lucky!" The time and memories shared and created with her granddaughters will keep her legacy living forever.
Patricia adored her brother and sisters. The tight Geraghty family clan spent most holidays together in addition to other family get togethers. As the only member of the family to leave the southside, there were constant trips down the Dan Ryan to spend quality family time. Her husband Ted knew to stay out of their way, because the Geraghty sisters stick together! Up until the end, Patricia never lost this fierce pride in her family, telling a nurse at LaGrange Hospital, " You ever fight with a Geraghty girl?" Her nieces were with her to the very end, often visiting her with sweet treats and taking her on field trips to local parks and restaurants. They will never forget their "beautiful and clever Aunt Patsy" as she often referred to herself.
As Patricia struggled through the final chapter of her life on earth, she remained rooted in the deep love she had for music, the arts and especially her family. Up until the end, she would find the strength to tap out a few songs on the piano. Family visits always included an "I love you" from her, no matter how hard it was for her to utter the words.
She now is at peace…and is reunited in heaven with her beloved Ted.
Interment Private Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, IL
In lieu of flowers memorials appreciated to the charity of your choice.
Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the link below and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card to the Family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o the Patricia Kowalski Family. We will gladly forward it on to the Family.
Lying in State Friday, March 25, 2022 from 9:00 A.M. to time of Mass 11:00 A.M. at the Alexine Chapel, 1515 W. Ogden Ave. LaGrange Park. Please enter the Chapel by using the Eastside entrance.
A live stream of the Service will be available to be viewed at www.memorialslive.com/kowalski a few minutes before the time of Service at 11 A.M. If you are unable to participate during the live stream a recording will be available to be viewed at anytime and downloaded at the same link by day’s end on Monday.
Patricia Geraghty was born on January 26, 1934, the third child of Michael and Julia Geraghty. She grew up in St Margaret of Scotland Parish in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago and attended Longwood Academy High School. Patricia loved music from a young age, traveling alone on the bus and then the "L" train to piano lessons downtown. She would even play piano in the mornings at Most Holy Redeemer Church before school. She cherished her Geraghty siblings Mary, Michael, Rory, Kay, Barb and Eileen.
Patricia embraced her love of education in her 20s by teaching young people (she loved teenagers!) in both Davenport, Iowa and Danville, Illinois and then again later in life at Mt. Carmel High School and Morgan Park High School. She was a dedicated teacher, often calling parents just to let them know their child was excelling in her class.
While she was attending St. Mary's of Notre Dame and achieving her Master's Degree at the University of Notre Dame, she entered the Holy Cross Order and was known as Sister Benedict Labre. Upon leaving the order, she spent time teaching at the University of Illinois while pursuing course work for a PhD.
Patricia's dear friend Joyce Kopecky introduced her to the love of her life, Ted Kowalski in 1967. She stood him up on their first meeting, but Ted insisted she come out for one drink. The rest is history...Patricia and Ted married in October of 1968 and they were inseparable. Their marriage was filled with joy, laughter, and love, each pursuing their own interests but also supporting each other throughout their lives. They settled down on Cleveland Ave in Lincoln Park where they enjoyed the city and wonderful friends and neighbors. David was born in 1970 and Neil in 1974. Patricia was a fierce supporter of her sons. She fought to make sure they each had their educational needs taken care of...whether it be Hardey Prep, Cove, St Ignatius, or Lincoln Park High School.....she was on top of it. And like all of the "Geraghty women," you did not mess with her. Her dedication to her sons never wavered and was with her until the end.
On March 23, 2002 Patricia said that David made the best decision of his life by marrying Michele. Papa Ted and Grandma Music adored their four granddaughters, Alexandra, Evelyn, Rachel and Anna....constantly commenting, "four daughters, you are so lucky!" The time and memories shared and created with her granddaughters will keep her legacy living forever.
Patricia adored her brother and sisters. The tight Geraghty family clan spent most holidays together in addition to other family get togethers. As the only member of the family to leave the southside, there were constant trips down the Dan Ryan to spend quality family time. Her husband Ted knew to stay out of their way, because the Geraghty sisters stick together! Up until the end, Patricia never lost this fierce pride in her family, telling a nurse at LaGrange Hospital, " You ever fight with a Geraghty girl?" Her nieces were with her to the very end, often visiting her with sweet treats and taking her on field trips to local parks and restaurants. They will never forget their "beautiful and clever Aunt Patsy" as she often referred to herself.
As Patricia struggled through the final chapter of her life on earth, she remained rooted in the deep love she had for music, the arts and especially her family. Up until the end, she would find the strength to tap out a few songs on the piano. Family visits always included an "I love you" from her, no matter how hard it was for her to utter the words.
She now is at peace…and is reunited in heaven with her beloved Ted.
Interment Private Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, IL
In lieu of flowers memorials appreciated to the charity of your choice.
Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the link below and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card to the Family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o the Patricia Kowalski Family. We will gladly forward it on to the Family.