Patricia J. Phalin

• Patricia "Pat" Joan (Giek) Phalin, age 87, passed away February 14, 2018 at Norwood Crossing in Chicago. Pat was born July 14, 1930, the daughter of Fred E. and Marian F. (Novy) Giek.Pat graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1948. A few months prior to graduation, Pat met the love of her life, Larry Phalin. They married in 1951, made their home in Cary and raised their daughter and three sons there. Pat graduated from McHenry County College with an Associate degree and later Northern Illinois University, majoring in Special Education.Pat cared about her community and put her thoughts into action. She was considered the force and inspiration behind the formation of the Cary Park District in 1971. As the mother of four young children, she found it particularly frustrating that Cary had no community pool so she set out to rectify that. Today the Cary Park District includes a community pool as well as 52 parks and approximately 846 acres of trail and open spaces. For many years, Pat also volunteered Monday evenings for PADS at St. Peter & Paul church. Pat's other major focus was Pioneer Center for Human Services, a McHenry County organization that provides services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Pat worked at Pioneer Center from 1978 through 1994 providing work adjustment training to scores of individuals. She held the important role of intake counselor and helped start a support group for the families of the individuals served by the center. Her efforts helped people go out into the working world and gain greater independence. She made a difference in many lives.Pat loved social events and typically wanted to be the first to arrive and the last to leave. She enjoyed playing bridge and in her younger days, found pleasure in overseas travel with Larry. Above all, Pat was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her special pride and joy. Pat is survived by her children, Teresa (Joe) Rudnik of Zion, Paul (Lisa) Phalin of Chicago, David (Kathleen) Phalin of Chicago and James (Marianne) Phalin of Troy, ID; grandchildren Matt Mena, Shanna (Brad) Hollandsworth, Ralph Garner, Daniel (Allie Tate) Phalin, Brett (Molly) Phalin, Aaron Phalin, Aidan Phalin; great-grandchildren Isla and Emme Hollandsworth, brother Tom (JoAnn) Giek of Scottsdale, AZ, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Fred Giek, mother, Marian (Novy) Giek, husband Thomas Lawrence "Larry" Phalin, and brother, Paul Giek. Visitation will be Thursday, February 22nd from 3 pm to 8 pm at Kahle Moore Funeral Home, 403 Silver Lake Rd, Cary. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am on Friday, February 23, 2018 at St. Peter & Paul in Cary with interment to follow at St. Patrick Countryside Catholic Cemetery in McHenry. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pioneer Center for Human Services, 4031 W. Dayton St, McHenry, IL 60050; www.pioneercenter.org. For more information, visit kahlemoore.com or call 847-639-3817. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Patricia J. Phalin please visit our Sympathy Store.

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