Patricia O’Hara-McWherter, age 75, of Taylorville, Illinois passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield, IL.

 

Patricia was born on September 27, 1948, the daughter of John and Martha (Jones) O’Hara. She graduated from Kincaid High School (Kincaid, IL) before going on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Illinois University and then a Master’s Degree from Illinois State University. Her field of study was education. On August 11, 1979, Patricia married Gary McWherter. 

 

Patricia worked as a teacher for 30 years for Springfield School District #186, and she represented her and her colleagues’ interests when she served on the negotiating team for Illinois Education Association (IEA),

 

Patricia was kind, soft-spoken, soft-hearted, and she enjoyed an active lifestyle (tennis and golf were favorite pastimes). She even won a number of doubles tennis tournaments in Arizona during her retirement. Patricia enjoyed flowers and gardening, music, singing, and she played the ukulele. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was a devoted parishioner. Her greatest accomplishment was her love for family.

 

Patricia is survived by her husband, Gary; her son, Ryan McWherter of Taylorville, IL; grand-daughter, Kendal McWherter of Taylorville, IL; sisters, Ruth Ann (Norman) Ward of Taylorville, IL; Rita (Bill) Myers of Taylorville, IL; Helen (Tom) Summers of Taylorville, IL; Karen O’Hara-Riva of Kincaid, IL; Maureen (Mark) Allen of Cadillac, MI; and Sheila (Mark) Smith of Fort Pierce, FL; numerous nieces and nephews; and 4 godchildren.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Lisa Conrath.

 

Visitation & Funeral Mass: The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 108 W. Adams St., Taylorville, IL 62568. Patricia’s Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s will follow the visitation, beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024, with Father Piotr Kosk officiating. 

 

Inurnment will follow the Funeral Mass at Calvary Cemetery, 14465 Cotton Hill Rd., Pawnee, Illinois.

 

Memorial contributions in Patricia’s memory are suggested to: St. Mary’s School, 422 S. Washington St., Taylorville, IL, 62568.

 

The family has entrusted Shafer-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home in Taylorville with ceremonies.

 

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Patricia, or to offer condolences to her family.