Patricia Gorman Obituary

Gorman, Patricia N.

Pat Gorman (nee Northrop) of Chicago and Arlington Heights, IL, died peacefully on October 19, 2023 at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard F. Gorman, and her cherished granddaughter, Katie O'Neill. She is survived by her dear sister, Jacqueline (the late Frank) Tye; her seven loving children: David (Michelle), Maureen (Neil Shapiro), Paul (Janice Guziec), Colleen (Michael) Hoekstra, Eileen (the late Terence) O'Neill , Thomas, and John; her beloved grandchildren: Michael (Andrea Gonzalez-Mejia), Shannon (Andy)League, Megan (Jim) Craft, Maggie (Aleksander) Yefremenko. Liz (Eric) Montenegro, Beth (Reggie) Walker, Maggie O'Neill, Regina (Jason) Dee; fourteen great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom brought great joy to her life. She was the cherished daughter of the late Ray and Valeria Northrop, beloved niece of the late Elda and William Bernardi, and fond cousin of the late William B. Bernardi.

Pat attended Roosevelt High School, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and St. Mary's College (@ Notre Dame) where she majored in home economics. She left college in 1948 to marry and begin her family. Unsurprisingly, she returned 30 years later, graduating from Mundelein College-Loyola University with a BA in Arts & Communications in 1979.

Her work outside the home began at the Arlington Heights Public Library and Lord & Taylor in Schaumburg in the mid-70's, followed by a long career in Records Management, first with James M Anderegg's Architect Library Service and then at the architecture firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), where she managed the main file. Her work at SOM, which she loved, brought her in contact with many of the major architects in Chicago and throughout the world, and gave her a ringside seat at the design and construction of the some world's greatest buildings. After her retirement in 1996, the firm kept her on as consultant for several years - a tribute to her value to the company.

Pat was passionately curious about everything and had a love of books, literature, and language. She avidly studied Greek mythology, Roman History, Shakespeare, the Civil War and Genealogy among other things. She shared a love of music with her late husband, Dick. Their children remember that in their home growing up, "music was like the wallpaper on the walls". Pat loved to travel. She connected her travels in the US, Europe and Asia with her love of history, art, music and architecture; this she also shared with Dick. Following his death, she continued to see the world with friends, children and grandchildren. The Road Scholar tours were among the sources that gave background to her destinations, along with many new friends with shared interests. She celebrated the millennium in London with friends she had met on earlier trips there. Following her retirement, she also undertook the research to be accepted as a Daughter of the American Revolution.

At home, Pat pursued her interests in cooking and gardening, needlepoint and other stitchery. She also ran Great Books discussions, shopped for and refinished antiques, made clothes for the family - interests she maintained throughout her life - all while raising seven children.

During and after her family and work lives she found time to volunteer with numerous Chicago organizations. She was a docent at the Art Institute of Chicago and a tour guide with Chicago Architecture Foundation, showing off Chicago landmarks such as the Charnley House and the Quigley Seminary. Pat helped the Newberry Library with their annual book sale and was active with Deborah's House, a homeless shelter for women, for which Pat produced homemade knitted hats, gloves, scarves and other items for their use.

Pat's family would like to thank Imee Bongabong and her many associates, and Suncrest Hospice, who took loving care of our mother in her last years and kept her comfortable.

Visitation will be held November 2, 2023 at 10 AM, Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, until time of the Funeral Service at 12Noon. Interment All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Chicago Food Depository, another cause close to Pat's heart. Funeral information 773-736-3833 or visit www.smithcorcoran.com

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