Patricia Alice Knabe

Patricia Knabe embarked on her final journey Friday evening, March 6, 2026, following a formidable battle with cancer. She passed away surrounded by loved ones at her daughter’s home, eleven days shy of her 84th birthday.

A graduate of D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY, she became a clinical laboratory scientist at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, IL, and eventually rose to a management position. Although work was never her true passion, it was mostly a vehicle for funding her insatiable desire to travel.

She was heavily involved in working with the Oak Park community throughout her retirement, often volunteering at donation and food shelters to help those in need. She became a marathoner in her 50’s and ran hundreds of races when her body was in harmony with her desires; often supporting races and activities when it was not fully cooperating. Up until her final summer, she could be found cycling along the trails of Lake Michigan and Wisconsin with her close friends.

Pat was a staunch supporter of women’s rights and was politically active, believing in crafting a peaceful and verdant world for future generations. Although Pat was deeply involved with the Oak Park community where she raised her two children, she loved nothing more than jetting off during the colder months to visit them in Austin or San Francisco to cherish time with her four grandchildren. Throughout her retirement, she would travel across the globe, visiting the far corners of the Earth. Some of her most memorable travels were to Kenya, Korea, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Thailand, Scotland, Paris, England, Germany, and Japan, just to name a few.

Many of those trips were with family and friends; however, she was independent in her travels and developed many strong bonds with people who then became an important part of her circle. Her dry wit and abundant interest in the world were complemented by a love for martinis or the cocktails she trained her grandchildren to make for her.

Pat was loved by many and leaves behind a family who are indelibly touched by her presence – a son, Michael Wille (daughter-in-law Shelly and their sons Séamus and Braden), and daughter, Megan Gibbons (son-in-law Patrick and their children Shannon and Nathan).

She is also survived by her sister Marilyn Rourke (niece Kathy, nephews Bill and Tim, and their families).

We are certain that Pat would want us all to set off on an adventure, dabble in a bit of mischief, toast with a good drink, and tell those we love how much they mean to us. As her grandchildren well know, “What happens with Lola, stays with Lola.”

A celebration of life is planned for July in Oak Park, with a date forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Housing Forward https://www.housingforward.org/.