Obituary
Patricia Mary Jakowski
Patricia Mary Jakowski, better known as “Mary” of Onalaska, WI passed away on August 22, 2024 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Mary was born on March 25, 1941, in Neenah, Wisconsin to Ira and Kathryn Farley. Growing up in Neenah, Mary worked with her parents at Farley’s Grocery Store and at the Alaska Pops popsicle factory. One of her favorite pastimes while growing up was sketching.
On June 18, 1960, she married James Jakowski from Menasha. Together they had three children, Christine, Cheryl and Peter. During 1978 Dad’s job brought the family to Onalaska. Mom and Dad had so many special and lifelong friends in Neenah-Menasha and Onalaska.
During their marriage they fostered thirty-five children who now live throughout the United States. It was a difficult day each time one of their children would leave, but each continued to hold a special place in their hearts.
Jim and Mary just celebrated their sixty-fourth anniversary. They loved travelling, and especially loved their cruises, having cruised twenty-nine times. This is ironic since Mary was unable to swim and did not like water. Their favorite destination was Alaska, but the most memorable was a family cruise to the Western Caribbean where many memories were made. They were one of the first to travel on the Royal Caribbean, Symphony of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships at the time.
Mary is survived by her husband Jim; children Christine (Lynn) Hammes, Cheryl Jakowski and Peter (Patti) Jakowski, Grandchildren Lindsay (Daniel) Bell and Brittany (Sam) Hermes, Anthony (Jackie) Vitanza, Ashley (Colin) Walsh, Nathan (Joe) Jakowski, Alex (Ashley) McDonah and great grandchildren Fiona, Finn, Bowyn, Henry and Theodore.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Kathryn and Ira Farley, sister and brother in-law Cam and Ronald Miller, mother and father-in-law, Angeline and Edward Jakowski, and sister-in-law Jean Sorenson.
Our family would like to thank everyone who supported us during mom’s final weeks. Family and friends helped us through this difficult time. Our heartfelt thanks to our Brookdale Onalaska family. They allowed mom to live her last months with love and dignity.
A prayer service will be held at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason Street Onalaska, WI on September 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Deacon Bob Zietlow will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, gifts given in Mom’s memory will be used to purchase a memorial tile near the Riverside Park Band Shelter or given to Saint Teresa of Kolkata Parish in West Salem. Mom and Dad were strong in their faith and delighted in many concerts at the park while enjoying the beauty of “God’s Country”.
We never met our problems alone, for God is our Father and we are his own. There’s no circumstance we cannot meet if we lay our burden at Jesus feet. – Helen Steiner Rice
Prayers to the family during this difficult time
Pete (and family) You have my sincere sympathy in the loss of your Mom. May she rest in peace. Dennis
Hi Cheryl, please accept our deepest condolences from Jackie’s parents, Mary Jo and Jeff. Your Mom has meant so much and we pray the beauty of love will carry Anthony and the family through.
Pete & family, I am so sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for your family in your grief & also that God will give you grace.
Pete and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your Mother. Maureen Dlouhy and family
Christine and Family,
Our hugs and thoughts are with you at this time with the loss of your mom. So glad your there to help your dad through this difficult time.
Your lake neighbors
Dave and Lisa
We wish to offer our most sincere sympathy to the Jakowski family with this devastating loss.
Rick and I fell in love with your mom from the very first moment we met your mom. We loved her sense of humor and her kindness. I loved keeping in touch with her and your dad. The phone calls that we shared always lightened our day. We would chuckle with our shared comments in our letters to one another (and our love of Spam and ways to prepare it). We were so very fortunate to have had her in our lives. Thank you so much for sharing her with us. I/we will miss my/our wonderful friend.
Our prayers are with your mom and each of you.