Patricia "Pat" J. Fagerlie

March 22, 1934 to August 17, 2026 Patricia “Pat” J. Fagerlie, of Hanover Park, IL, died at age 92, surrounded by her kids. Pat had a beautiful mind, and a life rich in love, creativity, and resilience. Though she was a worrier, it became one of her most endearing qualities—a reflection of her deep empathy, caring nature, and intuitive spirit. That spirit propelled her to learn new things, from attending art classes in her 50s, taking up golf in her 60s, to tackling new strategy board games in her 80s (even though she remarked that weekly game-night sometimes felt like “going to work,” because she had to think so hard). Married at just 18, Pat and Jim Fagerlie began their life together, immediately while briefly interrupted by the Korean War. They longed for children they feared might never come, until in what she considered a miracle after so many years, she had her son at age 30 and her daughter at 35. She poured herself into raising them, while at the same time, being a caretaker to her mother for more than a decade, and later simultaneously to her mother-in-law. Having already lost both mothers, Pat then faced another tragedy. When she was only 45, her husband died suddenly. It was a loss that required her to find a new depth of inner strength to persevere. And she did, with the steadfast support of her cherished friend, Andy Zilka. Throughout her life, Pat found joy in simple everyday things that connected her to others: parties with neighbors when the kids were young, nights out dancing, playing spirited games of Pinochle, spending New Year's Eve with her lifelong, childhood friend, Bev Mieszanek, annual vacations at Fireside Lake, and painting portraits and landscapes. Pat is survived by her children, James Fagerlie, Jr., and Lynn Fagerlie (Ron Paider); beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins in Iowa and Florida; and kind friend, Marie. Pat is preceded in death by her husband, James Fagerlie, Sr.; her siblings, Robert (Marge) Kowzic, and Walter “Butch” Kowzic; her parents, Walter and Ethel Kowzic (nee Sexton); and her dear love and companion, George Kovar, who helped her discover new adventures and friends later in life. In her final two and a half years, her adventures took on a very different form: while battling Lewy Body dementia in home hospice, she created whole universes from a hospital bed in her living room. Her dementia did not take away her memory or her essence. Instead, it revealed a mind capable of inventing intricate and intense worlds. Even when filled with fear and terror, she became her own hero. One who persevered to tirelessly protect and save all those around her. With a heart full of love and a mind full of curiosity, she had a fight for life. She will leave a lasting memory on all who knew her. There will be a private interment with family only. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Pat’s honor to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) at lbda.org, to support research and families facing this difficult journey.

Patricia "Pat" J. Fagerlie

March 22, 1934 - August 17, 2026