Patricia Agnes “Patti” Gordon (née Jaroszewski), age 82, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, in Gastonia, North Carolina. Born on February 18, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois.
Patti graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago and went on to attend the University of Illinois-Chicago at Navy Pier, where she studied architecture. Her early career path took her to Montgomery Ward and then a to cashiering at a grocery store in the city where she met Jim, a butcher and her future husband. In 1974, Patti, Jim and their oldest son Michael moved from their attic apartment in the city to a house in the suburbs of Carpentersville, IL and she chose to dedicate herself to being a stay-at-home mother. Here she grew a garden, visited the farmstands, and canned vegetables. Later, she returned to work in a couple factory jobs before finding a position at Jewell-Osco in Crystal Lake, Illinois. There, she worked for over two decades until her retirement—a tenure marked by dedication and camaraderie with coworkers who became lifelong friends.
Though she eventually relocated to North Carolina to be closer to family, Patti’s heart remained rooted in Chicagoland. She proudly wore her Cubs, Whitesox, and Bears apparel. Patti often reminisced about her time up north, fondly remembering her friends from Jewell and the “Chi Chicks” from high school. She had many stories about growing up in the city of Chicago and never stopped missing the snowy winters. In a poignant twist of fate, the week following her passing brought an ice storm and record-breaking snowfall to North Carolina—a final nod from nature that echoed the winters she so dearly missed.
Patti was a woman of many passions. She was an avid reader with a particular love for mysteries, she could often be found engrossed in a novel or watching PBS mystery series or Game Show Network programs. She had a talent for cross stitching (200+ completed) and enjoyed doing puzzles that challenged both patience and precision. Her days off were often spent baking her favorite treats or browsing craft fairs or Hallmark, always on the lookout for unique treasures and that next gift for someone.
Her home contained an 'Elf Room", a year-round celebration of Christmas where she displayed a collection of elves, fairies, trains, and festive décor that transformed every season into a holiday wonderland. Her love for all things Christmas was more than just decoration; it was how she surrounded herself with joy and familiarity.
Patti is lovingly remembered by her sons Michael (Pam) Gordon and Patrick Gordon of Gastonia, NC; granddaughters Casey Gordon and Delilah Wylde; sisters Bonita (John) Bauer and Ann Ebe; brother Joe Jaroszewski; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren from long-time friendships, great-nieces, and great-nephews. If she considered you her friend, neither time or distance could would cause her to forget to send a birthday or holiday card to let you know she still thought of you.
She was preceded in death by her husband James V. Gordon; mother Agnes (Reisenbuchler) Jaroszewski Nottoli; father Casimir “Casey” Jaroszewski; infant brothers Jimmy and Casey Jaroszewski; stepfather Bob Nottoli; brother-in-law Bob Ebe, Sr., nephew Paul Hunt; and niece Mary Ebe. She also grieved the early passing of her best friend Judy Macygin whom she met as a young adult and celebrated the many seasons of life with.
A memorial gathering in the Chicago area in the Spring will be announced in the near future. The family requests that memorials or tributes be shared with St. Jude's Hospital or the National Kidney Foundation.
May Patti’s memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her—and may every snowfall serve as a gentle reminder of the joy she found in life’s simple wonders.
Patti graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago and went on to attend the University of Illinois-Chicago at Navy Pier, where she studied architecture. Her early career path took her to Montgomery Ward and then a to cashiering at a grocery store in the city where she met Jim, a butcher and her future husband. In 1974, Patti, Jim and their oldest son Michael moved from their attic apartment in the city to a house in the suburbs of Carpentersville, IL and she chose to dedicate herself to being a stay-at-home mother. Here she grew a garden, visited the farmstands, and canned vegetables. Later, she returned to work in a couple factory jobs before finding a position at Jewell-Osco in Crystal Lake, Illinois. There, she worked for over two decades until her retirement—a tenure marked by dedication and camaraderie with coworkers who became lifelong friends.
Though she eventually relocated to North Carolina to be closer to family, Patti’s heart remained rooted in Chicagoland. She proudly wore her Cubs, Whitesox, and Bears apparel. Patti often reminisced about her time up north, fondly remembering her friends from Jewell and the “Chi Chicks” from high school. She had many stories about growing up in the city of Chicago and never stopped missing the snowy winters. In a poignant twist of fate, the week following her passing brought an ice storm and record-breaking snowfall to North Carolina—a final nod from nature that echoed the winters she so dearly missed.
Patti was a woman of many passions. She was an avid reader with a particular love for mysteries, she could often be found engrossed in a novel or watching PBS mystery series or Game Show Network programs. She had a talent for cross stitching (200+ completed) and enjoyed doing puzzles that challenged both patience and precision. Her days off were often spent baking her favorite treats or browsing craft fairs or Hallmark, always on the lookout for unique treasures and that next gift for someone.
Her home contained an 'Elf Room", a year-round celebration of Christmas where she displayed a collection of elves, fairies, trains, and festive décor that transformed every season into a holiday wonderland. Her love for all things Christmas was more than just decoration; it was how she surrounded herself with joy and familiarity.
Patti is lovingly remembered by her sons Michael (Pam) Gordon and Patrick Gordon of Gastonia, NC; granddaughters Casey Gordon and Delilah Wylde; sisters Bonita (John) Bauer and Ann Ebe; brother Joe Jaroszewski; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren from long-time friendships, great-nieces, and great-nephews. If she considered you her friend, neither time or distance could would cause her to forget to send a birthday or holiday card to let you know she still thought of you.
She was preceded in death by her husband James V. Gordon; mother Agnes (Reisenbuchler) Jaroszewski Nottoli; father Casimir “Casey” Jaroszewski; infant brothers Jimmy and Casey Jaroszewski; stepfather Bob Nottoli; brother-in-law Bob Ebe, Sr., nephew Paul Hunt; and niece Mary Ebe. She also grieved the early passing of her best friend Judy Macygin whom she met as a young adult and celebrated the many seasons of life with.
A memorial gathering in the Chicago area in the Spring will be announced in the near future. The family requests that memorials or tributes be shared with St. Jude's Hospital or the National Kidney Foundation.
May Patti’s memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her—and may every snowfall serve as a gentle reminder of the joy she found in life’s simple wonders.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patricia Gordon, please visit our flower store.
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