Patricia Wilk

Patricia Joan (Murphy) Wilk, loving mother of Kim, Tim and Sue, was reunited with her love, the late John H. Wilk, Jr. and peacefully entered eternal life on Saturday, September 7th. She will forever be remembered as a strong, compassionate and resilient human who touched more lives than she will ever know.

Born on May 29th, 1944, Pat faced many challenges in life. However, she persevered and demonstrated a depth of love that was immeasurable. She lived in New Britain her entire life and was a proud graduate of New Britain High School. In 1967, she married her truest love, and was accepted fully and completely into a family who adored her. John showed her a love she had never experienced and together they created a lifetime of memories that she openly and happily shared with family and friends. When John passed suddenly in 2004, a piece of Pat died as well. Her soulmate’s absence hurt her every day and yet once again her strength and resilience was tested. Although her life was never the same, she continued offering her love and support and taught her children how important it was to keep going, to rely on one another and to use their Dad’s love as the guide for their futures.

As a mother, she gave the best hugs, wiped countless tears, sang hundreds of songs and made thousands of grilled cheese sandwiches. She was a loyal volunteer supporting the school and sport activities of her children and never left an ounce of doubt as to how very proud she was of each of them. She gave selflessly and genuinely and was a true role model every day of her life.

Her greatest joy was becoming a grandmother. In August of 2006, her first grandchild, Noah John, her “little man”, arrived, and her life was born again with abounding love and happiness. Later that year, in November, her one and only granddaughter, Ava Grace entered her world and would be called, from that day forward, Princess. November of 2008, Jameson Christian, a.k.a. “paczki (pronounced punchki)” for his plump build, added to her joy and in November of 2012, Camden Reid, a.k.a. “super guy,” completed her happiness. She proudly displayed their artwork on her refrigerator, keeping every piece they made, played countless hours of cars and dress up, attended soccer, baseball, hockey and gymnastics events and most beautifully, loved them with every ounce of her soul.

Pat was a diehard UCONN basketball fan. She and John were season ticket holders for the Women’s team for several years and after his passing she enjoyed many, many games with her baby, Sue. Before her illness, she enjoyed trips to the casino with her very special friends Jane and Charlie, whom she loved dearly. She adored Mickey and Minnie Mouse and would sign cards and notes to her love as Minnie and he in turn signed as Mickey. She was a proud kitty Mom to siblings she adopted from the Humane Society naming them Mickey and Minnie and was the best doggy Grammy to Ozzy and Coco who will miss her very much.

Her children would like to extend their deepest gratitude to her neighbor and family friend, Mike, who watched over her like family since the passing of her husband. Mike and Pat shared a special friendship and were a source of strength for one another as they grieved the losses of their spouses.

Deepest gratitude is also given to the incredible staff of Livewell in Plantsville, CT. During the short time Pat resided there, she was treated with the utmost respect and care by a team of committed, compassionate professionals. Additionally, her hospice care providers at the Hospital of Central Connecticut, Edwin, Maria, Sean and Karen are recognized by her family as blessings for all they did for her and her children. Without a doubt, both facilities made her journey to eternal life safe and pain-free, and there are no words to express how thankful her family is for their efforts.

In addition to her children, and grandchildren, Pat is survived by her son-in-law and best friend, Jeff, her son-in-law, David, daughter-in-law, Kristen and nieces Darlene, Debbie and Dawn. Her life was also blessed and enriched by loyal friends who were like family and the friends of her children who she cared for as if they were her own.

Her family warmly invites you to join us for a Celebration of Her Life, on Sunday, September 15th at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT. As we share photos, stories, laughs and tears let us honor her memory and all that she selflessly gave. Guests are encouraged to dress casually, wearing their favorite UCONN item, if they’d like.

The Celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with light fare being provided.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable contribution to one of the following organizations that each mean a great deal to Pat.

The Friendship Center of New Britain www.fsc-ct.org

The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. www.ctngfi.org

Prevent Child Abuse America www.preventchildabuse.org