Patricia Chavez

Patricia (Pat) Chavez passed away on March 9, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was 88 years old. She is preceded in death by her mother and father Elizabeth and George Thielen, brother George Thielen, and sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Jelinek and Rose Bredemus. She is survived by her children: Rick (Deb) Hammergren, Diane (Scott) Holisky and Michelle Chavez (Don Zart); nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Pat graduated from Harding High School in 1952 and was the lead majorette in the marching band. She raised her kids in Maplewood and St. Paul, MN and was a lover of the performing arts, especially dance. She excelled at jazz and tap dancing and taught dance to kids in her local neighborhood. She shared her love of dance and baton with most everyone she met and would often show off her talents well into her later years.

Pat worked at 3M, Pearson's Candy Company and retired from the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation where she worked in the elderly division for over 15 years. She made many friends at Wilder over the years and enjoyed doing community outreach while working there.

Pat also loved the written word and was an avid reader. She spent most of her adult life living on the corner of Jefferson and West Seventh with her sister Rosie. They were known for their constant companionship and adventures. Pat was a volunteer at the Salvation Army and the West Seventh Community Center. Her favorite past time was enjoying her family and her beloved grandchildren whom she doted on and treated to special trips on the #14 bus to Candyland downtown.

A celebration of life will be announced to family at a later date. Donations can be made to Little Sisters of the Poor Holy Family Residence https://www.littlesistersofthepoorstpaul.org/donations/