Patricia Ann Kil

Patricia Ann Kil (Pat, Patty, Patsy), 85, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away at 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 28, 2018, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.  Patricia was born on July 16, 1932, in South Bend to Cecil Horace Buck, Sr. and Magnolia Burdell (McKee) Buck.  She retired from Bendix Transportation, where she was employed in the Accounts Receivable Department.  On February 15, 1958, in St. Joseph Church, South Bend, Indiana, she married Chester Adalbert Kil, who survives, and they recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.  Also surviving are her two daughters, Lucinda “Cindy” Kil Gillis and her husband Peter F. Gillis, III of Granger, Indiana and Tamara Kil-Myers and her husband Dr. Gerald Myers of South Bend, Indiana; nine grandchildren, Kelly (Amanda) Schmidt, Nick Dalton, Angela (Dr. Zac Williams) Gillis, Maria (Brandon Isakov) Gillis,  Peter F. (Jenna Colglazier) Gillis, IV, Christina Gillis, Katherine Gillis, Margaret Gillis, and Joseph Gillis; three great-grandchildren, Dylan Jankowski, James Peter Isakov, and Jude Chester Isakov; her three sisters-in-law, Irene Suth, Ann McMahon, and Virginia (Thomas) Pulaski; her two brothers-in-law, Richard (Elizabeth) Kil and Jerry Dewey; her cousin, Linda (Harold) Fleming and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  Patricia was preceded in death by her sister, Beverly (Phil) Schiff; and her brother, Cecil (Betty Jo) Buck, Jr., and brothers/sisters-in-law Wanda (Frank) Rafinski, Roman (Sylvia) Kil, Henry (Edna) Kil, Henrietta (Charles Scott/Richard) Lauden, James McMahon, Helen (John) Bartoszek, Alice (John) Rakowski, Sally (Richard) VanParis, Anita (Karl) Sontchi, and Harriette Dewey. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday,  June 2, 2018  in St. Therese Little Flower Church. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park.  A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday in St. Therese Little Flower Church, where a rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m.  A visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Saturday in the church.  

Patricia graduated from Riley High School in 1950.  She was a Daughter of the American Revolution; and was very proud of being a descendant of the Mayflower, of the Elder William Brewster and Mary Brewster,  Pat was a member of St. Therese Little Flower Parish where she and Chet loved to attend Sunday evening Mass with Father Ed Ondrako.  She was active, full of energy and life, with a stubborn personality, and a feisty determination to everything she undertook. Pat enjoyed animals and kitties, gardening, getting her flowers out every spring, working in her yard tirelessly to keep it beautiful, and mowing even in her last days.  She loved all people, eagerly took on conversation getting to know every person, was an empathetic observer for those suffering in life, and she encouraged each person in every way possible. Patricia loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, selflessly babysat them for numerous hours, played with them, even ice skating, basketball, skateboarding to name just a few; she carpooled them around, and supported them all in every way and in every event, even took a Greyhound bus to Seattle to see some of them play in the Little League Softball World Series.  Most of all Patricia loved her husband Chet.  In their 60 years of marriage together, they never left nor welcomed eachother without first a kiss, hug, and saying “I love you.” They spent every hour of their non-working lives together, drinking coffee on their patio while overlooking the lake, cooking together, going to the grocery stores, and watching ND games where she would ring the big church bell on their driveway with each touchdown for the whole neighborhood to hear. They were always sharing every thought and taking on activities, and together the two even built 8 cottages by hand; she even helped cut down hundreds of trees to clear the land prior, wheeled concrete in the wheelbarrow for their slabs, roofed, nailed, held boards, plastered and painted, tirelessly for many years; with a waterskiing break in between when she was hot; and all the while she always kept herself beautiful, nicely kept makeup and hair, and her lipstick always on and blotted to perfection. She and Chet lovingly cared for eachother all these years, and successfully through all of their illnesses last year.  In the end three things remain, faith, hope and love, and their love for eachother will always remain; and Chet and Pat together will always carry on as a witness to faith, hope and enduring love for all of us.  Memorial Contributions may be directed to Little Flower.  Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To send online condolences, please visit kaniewski.com.

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