Obituaries

Patricia Ann Wdowicki, 94, died Friday, July 8, surrounded by her loving family. She was greatly loved by her children, grandchildren, brothers and sister and their families.

The daughter of William and Madeline Murphy, Patricia was born on November 11, 1927, in Chicago. She was a graduate of Maine Township High School in 1945. On January 16, 1954, she married Paul Edward Wdowicki at St. Martha’s Church in Morton Grove, Illinois. They lived off base in Fort Knox, Kentucky while Paul was in the army.

In 1955 they moved to Des Plaines and built a home where they raised three children in the neighborhood known as Oak Meadows. It was a small close-knit neighborhood where Patricia, “Mrs. Wdowicki” was everyone’s mom. She was an amazing cook and always welcomed anyone and everyone to her table and kitchen. In 2003, Pat and Paul moved to Elburn, Illinois to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Prior to her marriage, Patricia worked at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago and later at the First National Bank of Des Plaines. She also worked at the Morton House Restaurant as a bookkeeper. When her husband opened his own carpentry business, she became his bookkeeper. Pat and Paul both served on the Oak Meadows Sanitary Commission for several years.After her parents and siblings moved to the west coast in the 60’s, Patricia enjoyed reunions with her brothers’ and sister’s families in California, Washington and Iowa. She and Paul began wintering in Florida during the 70’s and bought a snowbird home in Holiday, Florida in the 90’s. Together they entertained lots of friends and family members for several years until Paul died in 2016. Patricia was an amazing cook. If she wasn’t in her kitchen perfecting a recipe, she was reading. She loved books; especially mysteries. She was a champion Scrabble player and loved crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed making clothes and quilts for herself, family and friends. She designed and sewed costumes and quilts for her children, grandchildren; and for their friends and dolls, too. She enjoyed needlework and cross-stitch as well. Patricia was a kind and generous lady who leaves behind a legacy of creativity, culinary talent and beauty for all who knew her.

Survivors include son Philip Wdowicki, daughters Mary Garcia, Lisa (Michael) Babusch, three grandchildren – Quinton Ian Babusch, Murphy Rose Garcia and Benjamin Cruz Garcia and brothers Paul (Malai) Murphy and Phil (Jan) Murphy, sister Kathleen Harris, and her many dear nieces and nephews, and pets Rocky and Tiger.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, brother, Daniel Murphy, son-in-law Tino Garcia and brother-in-law, Martin Harris.

A private family visitation will be held at Yurs Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 12 followed by interment at The Blackberry Cemetery in Elburn.

An informal backyard celebration of life open house will be held on Sunday, July 31 from 3:00 to 7:00 at the Garcia’s home at 1N362 Northway Drive, Elburn, IL. All who knew and loved her are welcome to join.

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