Patricia Doyle Sedlack

Patricia was born on January 9, 1927 on a small farm in Stonington, Illinois, and for all of her life she treasured her connection to this land. She often shared fond memories of growing up on the farm, like riding her pony “Peanuts” to school, but it is also where she developed her core values of a strong work ethic, determination, and devotion to family that she carried with her throughout her life.

Patricia graduated from the Chicago Teachers College with a degree in music education. One of her proudest moments was being offered a teaching position upon graduation. But fate had other ideas. Patricia met the love of her life, James Joseph Sedlack. They married in 1948 and soon moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to begin their family and careers in music performance and education. James preceded her in death in 2011 after 63 years of marriage.

Patricia channeled the core values she learned from the farm into her family, faith, and music. She raised six children, often making their clothes, and no household or gardening projects were beyond her capability. At the same time, she taught in Atlanta Public Schools on and off for more than 30 years and gave private piano lessons. Her passion for music education extended beyond the classroom through her many years as an active member of the North DeKalb Music Teachers Association.

Patricia was the devoted matriarch of her large and loving family. She found great joy in bringing people together, whether through holiday celebrations, birthday gatherings, or simple family get-togethers. Any occasion was reason enough for Patricia to open her home and her heart. Family, friends, and even the occasional stranger were welcomed into her home with a meal, a bed, and a sense of belonging.

In 1958, Patricia and her family became founding members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Her faith was central to her life. She sang in the choir for many years and served as a minister to the sick, bringing communion to shut-ins, driving those in need to medical appointments, and offering countless acts of quiet service and compassion.

Patricia enjoyed gardening, reading, walking in the neighborhood, playing Bridge, and baseball; she was a St. Louis Cardinals fan her entire life.

Patricia is predeceased by her husband, James Joseph Sedlack. She is survived by her six children: Kathleen Ann (James) Ackermann, Mary Patricia (William) Parsons, Joanne (Stephen) Parsons, James Phillip (Victoria) Sedlack, Thomas Charles (Jo) Sedlack, and Phillip Kyle (Jennifer) Sedlack.

She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren: Melissa (Everett) Wilkerson, Richard (Anne Marie) Parsons, Andrew (Grace) Parsons, Sandy (Diego) Cubero, Catherine (William) Evergreen, Patricia (John) Kelley, Claire (Azer Avdagic)Parsons, Brenden Parsons, Jessica (Tom Dunn) Sedlack, Sarah (Kirsten Feld) Sedlack, Evelyn (Nicholas Choate) Sedlack, Rachel (Nathan Prittie) Sedlack-Prittie, Olivia (James Brown) Sedlack, and Dillon Sedlack; and one step-grandson, Christopher (Elise) Ackermann. She is predeceased by her step-grandson, Craig Ackermann.

Patricia was blessed with twenty great-grandchildren: Reid Wilkerson, Ridley Wilkerson, William Parsons, Alexa Parsons, Lily Parsons, James Parsons, Esteban Cubero, Antonio Cubero, Rafael Cubero, Tomas Cubero, Eleanora Wynder, Vincent Evergreen, Joseph Kelley, Haydon Kelley, Dylan Avdagic, Rhys Dunn, Lyla Sedlack-Prittie, Lochlan Sedlack-Prittie, Leif Sedlack-Brown, and Josephine Sedlack-Brown; and two step great-grandchildren, Avery (Brooke) Ackermann and Rachel Ackermann. She is also survived by two step great-great-grandchildren, Addie Ackermann and Lainey Ackermann.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, January 16, at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (2855 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta), followed by interment at Georgia National Cemetery (2025 Mount Carmel Church Ln., Canton, GA) at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends Thursday evening January 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a rosary at 5:30 p.m., at H.M. Patterson & Son - Oglethorpe Hill Chapel (4550 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, United Hospice, or the charity of your choice.

Patricia’s life was a testament to faith, generosity, music, and family. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and the love she so freely gave.