Patricia M. Quaid, nee O’Meara, 95, of Elmhurst, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024. She was born November 4, 1928, in Hollywood, California, to Martin and Josephine, nee Scanlon, O’Meara. Patricia “Pat” was raised in the West Side of Chicago in a close knit, predominately Irish neighborhood of family and friends. She attended Resurrection grammar school and Trinity High School. She met her future husband, Jim Quaid, and they married in 1953. They ultimately settled in Elmhurst where they raised their four children. Pat and Jim were active members of Mary Queen of Heaven parish and modeled the values of strong faith, hard work and family to their children. Patricia worked in the field of market research but was best known for her excellent cooking skills. She enjoyed entertaining her extended family and friends, always finding a way to “make room for one more” at the table and sharing her vats of homemade soup with the neighborhood. Above all things, she treasured spending time with each of her grandchildren. She was also an unofficial “grandma” to many others, with a ready supply of Smarties candy to share. Pat will be remembered fondly for her twinkling blue eyes, infectious giggle and her generous heart.
Pat is survived by her children Kevin (Ana) Quaid, Maureen Quaid, Kathleen (Stephen) Rhea, and Brian (Kathleen) Quaid; her grandchildren Lindsey (Anthony) Espinosa, James (Tori) Rhea, Abigail Quaid, Patricia (Christopher) McLaughlin, Mackenzie Quaid, Colin Rhea, and Erin Quaid; her great-grandchildren Gwen Rhea, Nora Rhea, and Liliana Espinosa; her brother Thomas (Mary Jean) O’Meara; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Martin and Josephine; her husband Jim; and her siblings Raymond O’Meara, Maureen O’Meara, and Dennis O’Meara.
Visitation Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm and Friday, April 26, 2024, 9:00 a.m. until time of prayers, 10:00 at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (½ mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst, Elmhurst. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. at Mass at Mary Queen of Heaven, Catholic Church, 426 West Avenue, Elmhurst. Committal Service to follow at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 2325 North Lakewood, Chicago, IL 60614 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 6060. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com