Obituary of Patricia A. James

Our colorful Pat, the life of the party and ultimate happy hour hostess, snuck away quietly and peacefully while the band was still playing and the wine was still flowing. She savored it all until the very end, and she was as beautiful and vibrant as ever.

 

She will be remembered for so many things: her famous chocolate cake, her infectious laugh and warped humor, her funky shoe collection and pattern overloaded outfits that only she could ever pull off, her beautiful one-of-a-kind artwork on everything from paper bags to large murals in local homes and businesses, zipping around on her little green stunt bike, her lively porch parties overflowing with friends and family, her reliable front and center spot at Body Pump, her trinket trove forever filled with treasures for all of the neighborhood kids, her ability to score the best secondhand and curbside finds, her love for red wine and tinned fish, her easy ability to always see the glass half full and truly never sweat the small stuff, the amount of fun she carried with her everywhere she went, and above all the abundance of fierce love she surrounded everyone in her world with.

 

There was nothing more important than her family, and she squeezed as much love as she possibly could into all of their lives. Her husband Mike, her compass and her rock, complemented her so perfectly, and together, they created the magical haven that was their home. She was blessed with five children who were her biggest source of pride and joy including sons Lance, Eddie, Nick, and daughters France and Lucie (her surprise twins - one of her favorite stories to tell); her children’s spouses Jill, Kacie, Molly, Joel, and Michael who she loved as though they were her own; and two stepchildren, Johnny and Tracy, along with their spouses Amy and Kurt. She had two brothers, Billy and Tom, and a sister, Linda “Lulee,” with whom she had a long list of hilarious memories from growing up in Miami together. Most importantly, she had 11 grandchildren who absolutely adored her and will always remember her as Grandma Tuti, Grandma Chachi, and Gaga. Though we would have loved for them to have more time with her, she gave them a lifetime supply of popsicles, dollar store prizes, kitschy cat knickknacks, and so much fun. The countless art projects, closet dress-ups, dance parties, bedtime stories, and driveway performances are among some of their favorite memories and stories we will share over and over again.

 

All of her friends would say she was their best friend, and Pat had so many. We’ve heard repeatedly how she was the glue that held so many groups together and how she always had the best parties. She loved having a house full of friends and had a way of entertaining that was “effortless, simple yet abundant, and elegant.” She could often be found with her crew at Tuesday art classes, Wednesday night “dive night,” dancing to live music at CAC’s Friday night Five Spot, and hiking through Springdale Cemetery on Sunday mornings - All traditions that we hope her friends will carry on in her honor. 

 

In the end, her heart was overflowing with love and gratitude for such a beautiful life. There was no need for final goodbyes, as Pat lived her entire life showering those closest to her with all of the love, support, and admiration she had. Everyone who was special and important to her fully understood it, with nothing left unsaid. In lieu of a funeral, we ask that you celebrate Pat’s life in a way that is meaningful to you - time spent in nature with loved ones, a beautiful homemade dinner with friends, coffee on your porch with neighbors. Take the time to appreciate art, to stop and admire the beauty all around you in life’s everyday simple moments, get dressed up for no reason at all, embrace the quirky and weird parts of yourself and others, and devour life by the mouthful, as Pat always did. Her magic is all around us.

 

Cremation Specialist of Illinois is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.CSofIL.com.

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