Patricia Jennings

PATRICIA JENNINGS

Cedar Rapids

Patricia A. Jennings, 88, a resident of Cottage Grove Place, died there Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, after a long illness. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday at All Saints Catholic Church. The Rev. John R. Flaherty will officiate. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, where there will be a vigil service at 3 p.m. Friends also may call at the church after 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Patricia A. Jennings was born in Cedar Rapids on March 3, 1926. She graduated from St. Wenceslaus. She was so grateful to the Mercy sisters and priests that formed her in her Catholic faith. After graduation, she worked at Mercy Medical Center as a medical secretary.

Pat met Bob, her husband, in 1946 on the basketball court at Immaculate Conception High School. They shared a beautiful marriage of 66 years. She raised three children and worked as a medical secretary for 20 years. She also worked at Regis High School. She was a bank officer at the Mount Vernon branch for 17 years.

She was an unbelievable cook. Her kolaches were the best in Cedar Rapids! It pleased her to share many delicious recipes with her family and friends.

She was a parishioner for over 50 years at All Saints Catholic Church. She volunteered in a number of capacities and was a member of St. Therese Circle for many years. She supported a number of charitable causes.

Pat was devoted to her family and extended family. She is survived by her loving husband, Bob; children, Dr. Mike (Cathy) Jennings, Jean Ann (Bill) Kottemann and Debbie. She was adored by her grandchildren, Cheryl, Gary (Shannon), Dr. Kraig (Laura), Dr. Scott, John, Kitty and Robby; and great-grandchildren, Frankie, Valerie, Olivia and Cayden. Also surviving are her brother-in-law, Don (Lois) Jennings; sisters-in-law, Arlene Jennings and Christine (Eldron) Cobb; and several nieces and nephews.

Pat Jennings was a loving and giving person to all who knew her. She was generous with her time and compliments, ready with a warm smile and easy with a laugh. She made everyone feel welcome in her home.

Her Catholic faith inspired her entire family. She taught them the secret to life is through prayer and faith and their joy comes from putting God first in one's life. JOY – "J-Jesus first, O-others next, Y-yourself last, and love with all your heart unselfishly." She set a beautiful example of what true beauty in a woman is for her daughters and granddaughters. She had a gift for treating all her children and grandchildren as individuals and making each one feel loved and special.

We will be forever grateful for the loving care received at Cottage Grove Place. We will never forget you for all you did for our mother in her final years.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Sisters of Mercy.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.