OBITUARY FROM REES FUNERAL HOME WEBSITE:
Patricia “Pat” Anne Jarosz, age 69, a longtime Hobart resident passed away peacefully on March 16, 2024. She was born in Gary, Indiana on August 3,1954. She is preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Jean Jarosz.
Pat graduated from Hobart High School in 1973. She attended Indiana University (1973 -1977) graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and a Master of Science in Education. Pat taught Physical Education at Hobart Jr High School and coached Gymnastics.
She loved IU and was proud to represent them playing Field Hockey. Pat was inducted into the Field Hockey Hall of Fame. After graduation, she played softball in the Hobart Women's League and Volleyball in the Hammond Women’s League.
Pat was a Sport’s Department manager at K Mart and later worked for Burger King as a store manager.
Pat received a Master Gardener certification from Purdue Calumet. She volunteered for the Master Gardeners in Merrillville updating their historical documents as well as volunteering at Tall Tree Arboretum in Valparaiso and various parks in Lake and Porter County.
Pat impacted the lives of many people. She took care of mom and dad for years making sure their needs were met. She was also a friend and caregiver to many other people. Pat would grocery shop, worked in yards, played cards, drove them to appointments, and provided companionship.
At a young age Pat loved competition. Playing sports gave her so much joy. She passed her passion for sports, especially softball, onto those who she coached.
Pat had a genuine love for the Cubs. She loved watching games on TV and following their successes, with the ultimate achievement of the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016.
It gave Pat a lot of joy watching her nieces and nephews participate in sports. It was the top of her list. Distance was never an issue, where they played, she was there no matter the weather element. She was their biggest supporter.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by twin brothers William and Michael, and nephew Stas’ Jarosz III.
Pat is survived by her six sisters: Sister Jean Therese Jarosz (Franciscan Sisters of Chicago), Carol (Vincent) Olis of IN, Mary Jarosz of IN, Nancy (James) Pope of IN, Anna (Dennis) Funkhouser of MO, Mary Ellen (Kurt) Bonner of OH and one brother Stanley (Patty) Jarosz, Jr. of IN.
In addition to her siblings, she is survived by her nephews: Craig (Kristin) Olis of IN, Paul (Hannah) Olis of WI, Bryan (Samantha) Bonner of KY, Nathan (Stefanie) Pope of IN, and nieces: Melissa (Adam) Gecewich of TN, Kelly (Cesar) Millan of MO, Katie (Tom) Leger of MO, Aimee (Blake) Hoover of IN, and Angela (Matt) Ladewig of IN. Great nieces and nephews: Sophia, Jacob, Lucas, and Amelia Olis, Isabela, Gabriela, and Cesar Millan, Scarlett and Brett Bonner, Maverick, Charlotte & Olivia Leger, Penelope, Clarabelle, Theadora, and Emberlynn Gecewich, Ryan Pope, and Mabel Ladewig.
A visitation will be held for Patricia on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 9am-11am at Rees Funeral Home 600 W Old Ridge Road, Hobart, IN 46342, prayers will be held at 10:30am prior to processing to church. A catholic funeral mass will follow at 11:00am at Assumption Church, 3530 Illinois Street, New Chicago, IN 46342. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, 2701 Willowdale Road, Portage, IN 46368 following mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Patricia Jarosz may be made out to Indiana University, Purdue University Master Gardener Program or a Mass.
This information was obtained from: https://www.reesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/patricia-pat-jarosz.