Obituary for Patricia Kammerer (McDermott) Patricia McDermott Kammerer, Age 88, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2018. Born July 25, 1929 in Madison, Wisconsin, to Stella (Zimmerer) and Albert Ira McDermott. She grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin attending St. Mary’s Elementary and Oshkosh High School.
Graduated from St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN. , B.A. Business. Graduate studies at Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University.
Professional career included General Motors, Logistics, Overseas Division, Detroit, MI, Marathon Corporation, HR, Neenah, WI. , and Chicago’s WGN Radio, based in Europe, running PR for Cliff Johnson’s Eisenhower Award winning radio program, “Sounds of Europe”. Married John Roy Kammerer in 1955, together they were blessed with 7 children.
They lived in Syracuse, NY. , Evanston IL. , Deerfield IL and in 1968, moved to Lake Forest, IL.
, their home for the last 50 years. Volunteer activities include President, Chairman and Treasurer of Peacock Camp for Children with physical disabilities , Lake Villa, IL; Board Member of many organizations including Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Board; Lake Forest Symphony Board; Fox Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America; and Illinois Club for Catholic Women. Longtime supporter of Chicago Institutions: Field Museum, Art Institute, Lyric Opera, and Presentation Ball Auxiliary.
She was the President of Women’s Republican Club of Lake Forest Lake Bluff (2006-2008), Inaugural Vice -Chairwoman of the West Deerfield Township Republican Organization, and GOP Captain and served as a long time election judge. Devoted time to Presidential, Senate and Congressional campaigns as she believed active participation was her civic duty. Building friendships that lasted a few minutes or a lifetime made her happy.
An exploratory traveler, Pat was open to a trip on a moment’s notice and loved to uncover the world with Jack, her husband of 56 years. There was always another place to see and she delighted in sharing her photos and stories with family and friends. She believed in working for her church, her community and her country.
The true love of her life was her family and they were always first. Preceded in death by her husband John and her son Dennis as well as her brother Thomas McDermott. Survived by sons Mark (Mia) , Michael, Thomas (Audra): daughters Maureen Proctor ( Andrew) , Alexandra McNett ( Scott), and Anne Butrus (Gregory); 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Survived by her sister Ellen McDermott Gibson. Visitation 5:00 to 8:00 pm. , Friday, June 22, 2018 at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 E. Vine Ave.
, Lake Forest, IL. Funeral Mass 10:00 am, Saturday, June 23, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Church, 991 S. Waukegan Rd. , Lake Forest, IL Private interment at Lake Forest Cemetery.
Reception will be held for family and friends from 12:30 to 3:00 pm at Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, IL. In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of Patricia Kammerer to one of the following: Lumen Christi Institute,(www. lumenchristi.org) , 1220 E. 58th St., Chicago, IL attention of Steve Nache at snache@lumenchristi.org or (708) 427-6357 Brain Research Foundation, (www.
thebrf.org), 111 W. Washington St., Suite 1460 Chicago, IL 60602 attention of Sandra Jaggi at (312) 759-5150. Info: Wenban Funeral Home (847) 234-0022 or www.
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