Mary Patricia Plesha
Mary Patricia Plesha, age 86 of Portage, Wisconsin, formerly of Chesterfield, MO, Mesa, AZ, Slidell, LA, Lyons and McCook, IL, and Boonville, MO, was born on February 16, 1936 to William and Virginia (nee Feldmann) Cleary. She passed into eternity after a brave fight with dementia on April 11, 2022 at Tivoli (Aspirus Divine Savior) in Portage, WI.“Pat” (“Patty,” “Mary Pat”) attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Boonville, MO., graduating in 1953. She attended Quincy University for a year before marrying George F. Plesha Jr. on June 9, 1956. Her lifelong loves included anything musical, her piano, watching and accompanying musicals, theater, baseball, softball, basketball, bowling, children, animals, reading, wine, bird watching, anything social, and anything humorous no matter how obtuse or seemingly warped.
Her many employers included the Cooper County Record, Slocums, McAllisters Department Store in La Grange, Reynolds Metals, Hendrickson Mfg., Srains Foods, Northshore Mall in Slidell, and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, but her main devotion was to her family. She was affirming and abundantly faithful in her love for her children and her love was reciprocated as she guided them through their childhood. Pat could throw a softball from third base to first with great speed and accuracy, play the organ at Catholic Mass, and still have enough energy and time to take in any stray kid in the neighborhood; their home was a magnet for children. Pat was a member of the Newcomers Club in Slidell where she reigned as Mardi Gras Queen in 1991 and was voted Woman of the Year with the organization in 1994.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, George F. Plesha Jr., her parents, her sister Sue Malone (nee Cleary) of Westboro, MA., grandson Damon Pallanti of Chicago, IL, and Sister-in-Law Joy (Fred) Zamecnik of Plano, TX. She will be greatly missed by her children Dr. Julie (Kenneth) McGwin, DVM of Montello, Wisconsin, Karen/Kiki (Brad Bridges) Plesha of Austell, GA, Terese/Terri Plesha (Elvin McCammond Jr.) of Justice, IL, David (Bonnie) Plesha of Mesa, AZ, Daniel (Sandra) Plesha of Portland, OR, and Bryan (Julie) Plesha of Aurora, IL, grandchildren Danielle (Frank Pucci) Pallanti, Sam (Aliona Krupskaya) McGwin, Maggie McGwin, Elvin (Amber Finn) McCammond, Patrick (Melissa Tipperreiter) McCammond, Claire and Gabriel Plesha, and Allison, Valerie and Cory Plesha, brothers William (Jessie) Cleary, James (Martha, deceased) Cleary, Michael (Diane/Dee) Cleary, brother-in-law James Malone, great-grandchildren Evan, Amalasuentha, Charlotte, Timothy, Oliver, and Camillo, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 West 55th Street, Countryside, IL 60525 on Friday, April 22 from 4:00 – 8:30 PM.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church at 105 Herrick Rd., Riverside, IL 60546 Saturday, April 23 at 10:00 AM with interment following at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.
For those who wish to pay final respects and join in procession to St. Mary Catholic Church, chapel prayers will be said at Hallowell & James Funeral Home at 8:45 AM on Saturday, April 23rd.
Donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601-7633, Website: ALZ Home, or a charity of your choice.
For further service information, please call Hallowell & James Funeral Home at 708-352-6500.
Julie–Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Sounds like she was a remarkable woman who left you with much to cherish.
Thank you, dear Sylvia. We will all miss her terribly.
Julie
Dear Patty fought the good fight and in the end won the race to be with George and her parents and siblings enjoying everlasting peace and freedom with God and his Blessed Mother whom she asked for help often during her lifetime. I never spoke or met with Patty without admiring her wonderful ability to always be positive about whatever subject was discussed. Smiles and laughter were just a part of her daily life. Standing behind her while she played the piano in study hall and a chorus of fellow students singing 50’s favorites is one of my favorite memories of Patty. She was a good student, a good friend and I’m sorry she won’t be on my earth any longer. But glad she’s happy in heaven.
Thank you, Carole! Your words are comforting and I love the memories you cherish with my mother. Thank you for sharing that!
~ Karen (Kiki)
Teri and Karen so sorry for your loss. My your mother R.I.P. prays to you ladies n the rest of your family.🙏🙏🤗
Thank you, Gloria, my childhood friend, for taking the time to write your message of comfort!
~ Karen (Kiki)
Karen, I’m so sorry for your loss. My Mom passed 2 years ago and I miss her every day. My memories of being at your house were that there always seemed to be a lot going on and it was pretty laid back. You guys always seemed to be happy. Sending hugs.
Hi, Mari!
Please accept my condolences. I remember your mother fondly! Gosh, it seems like yesterday, huh? Where did the years go? Thank you for taking the time to write and send your thoughtful message and memory.
Warmest regards,
Karen (Kiki)
I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Plesha for several years in the early 1990s at North Shore Square in Slidell, Louisiana. I have thought of Pat many times over these 30 years and saddened to hear of her passing. Many good memories. Expressing sympathy to the Plesha family.
Thank you, Norm, for your kind words. We will all miss her.
Sincerely,
Julie