Patricia O'Hara-McWherter
September 27, 1948 ~ April 25, 2024
Born in:
Taylorville, Illinois
Resided in:
Taylorville, Illinois
Patricia O’Hara-McWherter, age 75, of Taylorville, Illinois passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield, IL.
Patricia was born on September 27, 1948, the daughter of John and Martha (Jones) O’Hara. She graduated from Kincaid High School (Kincaid, IL) before going on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Illinois University and then a Master’s Degree from Illinois State University. Her field of study was education. On August 11, 1979, Patricia married Gary McWherter.
Patricia worked as a teacher for 30 years for Springfield School District #186, and she represented her and her colleagues’ interests when she served on the negotiating team for Illinois Education Association (IEA),
Patricia was kind, soft-spoken, soft-hearted, and she enjoyed an active lifestyle (tennis and golf were favorite pastimes). She even won a number of doubles tennis tournaments in Arizona during her retirement. Patricia enjoyed flowers and gardening, music, singing, and she played the ukulele. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was a devoted parishioner. Her greatest accomplishment was her love for family.
Patricia is survived by her husband, Gary; her son, Ryan McWherter of Taylorville, IL; grand-daughter, Kendal McWherter of Taylorville, IL; sisters, Ruth Ann (Norman) Ward of Taylorville, IL; Rita (Bill) Myers of Taylorville, IL; Helen (Tom) Summers of Taylorville, IL; Karen O’Hara-Riva of Kincaid, IL; Maureen (Mark) Allen of Cadillac, MI; and Sheila (Mark) Smith of Fort Pierce, FL; numerous nieces and nephews; and 4 godchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Lisa Conrath.
Visitation & Funeral Mass: The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 108 W. Adams St., Taylorville, IL 62568. Patricia’s Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s will follow the visitation, beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024, with Father Piotr Kosk officiating.
Inurnment will follow the Funeral Mass at Calvary Cemetery, 14465 Cotton Hill Rd., Pawnee, Illinois.
Memorial contributions in Patricia’s memory are suggested to: St. Mary’s School, 422 S. Washington St., Taylorville, IL, 62568.
The family has entrusted Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home in Taylorville with ceremonies.
sPlease visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Patricia, or to offer condolences to her family.
Services
Visitation: May 4, 2024 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
St. Mary's Catholic Church
108 W. Adams St.
Taylorville, IL 62568
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Patricia O'Hara-McWherter 's name.
St. Mary School
422 S. Washington St.
Taylorville,
IL
62568
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To Gary and her son Ryan you and your entire family are in our thoughts. Pat was a true treasure and all your memories with her will shine on you the rest of your lives.
To Gary, Ryan and her precious granddaughter Kendall I am sending my sincerest condolences.
RIP Pat❤️🙏🌹
So very sorry for your loss, Pat was a wonderful lady.
I knew her mostly thru our tennis days in Mesa, she was
always competitive and fun to be with on the courts.
I will miss her and feel very privileged to have known her.
Grace Wood
Knew Pat from tennis, was one of my scorekeepers and my partner at wine tasting 💕💕🍷
I am so sorry for your loss. The years pass quickly, and her passing seems too soon. I am thankful for you to have had each other as long as you have had and that you have caring family with you.
Pat was a valued member of our tennis club in Mesa, AZ, where I first met her 12 years ago. She was always ready to step up and volunteer wherever needed. As a leftie, she had a powerful ground stroke and I preferred to be her partner than my opponent on the other side of the net! She was instrumental in planning an event for our tennis club in Springfield several years ago and I will never forget her hospitality. To say we are in shock would be an understatement and our hearts break for her family. May the Lord bless her and keep her and make his face shine upon her. Well done Pat, well done.
Deepest sympathy to family and especially Gary.
Love, Demetra Collins and Vickie and John and. Brittney Anderson
🌸🌺🌹🌷🌸🌺🌹🌷🌸🌺🌹🌷🌸🌺🌹🌷🌸🌺🌹🌷🌸🌺🌹🌷🌸🌺🌹🌷🌸🌺🌹🌷🌸🌺🌹🌷
I am sorry I will not be at the visitation and funeral on Saturday as I will be out of town. I hold you all in love, care and prayer.
I had the good fortune to know Pat as a tireless advocate for classroom teachers. She was very active member of the Springfield Education Association carrying out numerous roles, including as a bargaining team member, an Executive Committee member and later as a leader for the development of classroom teachers especially those new to the profession. Pat had very high standards for herself as a teacher. Her insights for improvements for the profession were creative and thoughtful.
My sincere condolences to Gary, Ryan and your extended family.
We met Pat in Arizona. She was always fun to be around. She was a really good tennis player. We are so sad about Pat. She will be greatly missed. Our condolences to Gary and her family.
I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Pat’s death. I taught with her at Black Hawk, she taught our daughter at Iles and we were both members of the Lake Press Club. I rarely saw her in past years, but it was always a pleasure to have a chat with her: she was a truly lovely person who was taken too soon. I am so sorry we were out of town yesterday and missed the visitation and funeral mass. Sincere condolences to Gary, Ryan and Kendal and their extended family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Pat.