Patricia Porep (née Fota), 69, of Lombard, IL, passed away on January 19, 2023.

She is survived by her daughter, Rachel, and granddaughter, Maddie. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emrich James (Jim) and Lorraine Fota. 

She was the eldest of 10 siblings. John, Tom, Frank, Bob, Judy, Ed, Paula, and Jim (all of whom she continued to keep track of and worry over even after they were grown).  Pat’s sister Kathy died in 1959. 

She was married to Terry Porep for 14 years and together they had their daughter, Rachel, whom she loved deeply and was very proud of.

After graduating from West Chicago Community High School, Pat studied political science at DePaul University. She was at all times a leader. She was never at a loss for words and was passionate about politics. She believed that when you showed up and spoke up things got done. Pat volunteered for several political campaigns and worked for many years as an election judge, embodying her belief that it was every person’s right and responsibility to vote and be heard.

Pat had also been a proud and active member of the American Association of University Women, including serving as president and in other capacities.  She promoted the importance of education for all, and at any stage of life. 

She was particularly proud of her mother who had only had an elementary school education and decided after all her children were grown to earn her GED. This was a big inspiration for Pat to go back to school and earn a masters degree so much later in her own life. 

She was fascinated by history, especially ancient Egyptian and early American history. Abraham Lincoln was a particularly important and admired figure throughout her life.

She also had a deep appreciation of  language and would often read the dictionary for fun as a child. She studied French in high school and attained fluency. 

Pat was passionate about music- a few of her favorites were the Beatles, Barbara Streisand, and Pavarotti.

And she absolutely loved singing. She sang as a member of many school, community, and church choirs. She often shared her powerful voice with God and the Church she loved; St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Elmhurst, IL.

She was so full of love for her friends and family, especially her granddaughter that she thought hung the moon. 

She had so much more to share and her loss will be deeply felt. 

There will be a Celebration of Life Gathering on April 2nd in Glen Ellyn, with more details forthcoming.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.” -  Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3:1, 11.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/patricia-porep/obituary/

Copy