Patricia June Kowalsky

Patricia June Kowalsky On the evening of May 12, 2015 Patricia Coakley Kowalsky passed away surrounded by her loving family. Pat was just 6 weeks shy of her 90th birthday...a milestone she was very hopeful of making. Born in Milwaukee, WI she was the third of 5 children born to Catherine and Charles H. Coakley. She attended and graduated from Holy Angeles Academy, an all-girls school in Milwaukee. Senior year, she invited John Kowalsky, to the school’s winter formal and he was soon to be her future husband and love of her life. Pat married John in 1949 in Milwaukee They spent the next 66 years building precious memories filled with family, love, and adventure. In 1959 John’s work in the aerospace industry brought the young family to California where both John’s brother Joe Kowalsky and sister Adelyn Zimmer resided. With projects up and down the coast of California, Pat became a master of packing up the household to move to the next city. She always said she did not really mind the packing and moving as long as her request to go “home” to Milwaukee annually was honored. She had the need to rejuvenate every year with a loving and fun visit with her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. In 1967 John’s work took Pat and their 5 children abroad on what would be the beginning of their international travels. The next 4 years were spent in Sweden, Germany, and Belgium. The summer of 1969 was the move from Düsseldorf to Brussels. Finding housing for such a large family was difficult. Pat decided rather than stay in one hotel for the summer she would tour Europe with the children. She packed the children into a station wagon, and left Düsseldorf without an agenda…knowing only that Greece was the final destination. People could not believe that all 5 children were hers and that she was driving alone. John joined the group for 2 weeks in Greece and it remains one of the most memorable vacations had by all. John joined Bechtel Corp. in San Francisco, transferred to Texas and then to Saudi Arabia where they resided for 10 years. In 1986 Pat and John returned from Saudi Arabia eventually moving to Grass Valley to live happily together with family and friends visiting throughout the years and celebrating many occasions. Pat was a devoted wife, mother and sister. We are all blessed to have been part of her life sharing incredible experiences with such a caring and graceful person. She is survived by her husband, John Kowalsky and children Pat Lignola, Kathryn Kowalsky, (Owen Stephenson) Sue Kade (Richard), John Kowalsky (Judy) and Joseph Bruno Kowalsky. Grandchildren: Gianluca Lignola, Christopher Stephenson, Tim Kade (Nicole), John Kowalsky, Michael Kowalsky and Andrea Kowalsky. Great grandchild: Gregory Michael Kade. Brother: Neil Coakley (Jan) Sister-in-laws: Adelyn Zimmer, Dorothy Coakley and Jean Kowalsky and numerous nieces and nephews. Pat is preceded in death by grandson, Gregory Thomas Kade, Lois Field (Robert), Joyce Callan (Joseph), Charles Coakley (Beverly). Brothers in law: Joseph Kowalsky and Arthur Zimmer. Private services have been held.

Patricia June Kowalsky

June 29, 1925 - May 12, 2015