Patricia Henne

Patricia Ann Henne, age 58, of Elburn, Il, passed away peacefully Friday evening, January 23, 2004, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Pat came to the end of her journey after a courageous four year battle with lung cancer. She leaves to those who knew her a legacy; a lifetime filled with devotion, determination, laughter, hard work, courage the face of suffering and an unending love for her family. She was born November 27,1945, in Sycamore, Il, the daughter of Donald and Helen (Nelson) O’Brien. During the years of her childhood, as farm families often did at the time, Pat’s family moved often to various farms in the DeKalb-Sycamore area. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School in Sycamore before attending Kaneland High School. While a student working in the Kaneland high School cafeteria, Pat met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Ron Henne. They were united in marriage on February 23, 1963. Marrying and starting a family at a young age set Pat on a path to a busy life, working outside the home, raising her family and tending to her home. In the 1970’s she became employed by the Kaneland school district as a baker and cook. She was in charge of the baking for the Kaneland Middle School for a number of years. She also worked for twenty-two years at Potter’s Store in LaFox. There, she became friends with many people from near and far who found their way to the quaint setting of Potter’s Store. Her regular customers counted not only on Pat’s help but her willingness to visit, always with a smile. Throughout her adult life, Pat devoted many Saturdays to traveling to Sycamore to visit with her parents and other relatives. Her mother and aunts always looked forward to having a coffee party with "Patsy" on Saturday afternoon. Through her actions Pat taught her children the value of hard work and importance of caring for others. Always the caretaker, Pat spend much of her own remission from cancer caring for her mother who was diagnosed with cancer herself. As a grandmother, Pat will be remembered for her chocolate shakes, and bingo games, and trips to Blackberry Farm. Pat is survived by her husband, Ron, who lovingly took on the role of caregiver as her condition worsened; her children: Rona Henne of Batavia, Lori (John) Hoffman of Aurora and Jeff (Suzie) Henne of Kaneville. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren who brought her great joy and of whom she willed herself to survive well beyond her doctors’ expectations: Kevin, Kyle and Madison Hoffman of Aurora; Nicholas and Melanie Henne of Kaneville and Michael Henne of Batavia, as well as one aunt, her brother-in-law, many cousins, nephews and one niece. Pat leaves a family of friends throughout the Kaneland area. Among those was her devoted friend, Janet MaCartney, who helped care for Pat during the last nine months of her life bringing laughter and good memories to Pat. She is proceded in death by her parents, Donald and Helen and one sister, Marlynn Perry. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Pat’s name may be given to the Elburn Lions Club Helping Hands Fund or to Vitas Hospice and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, Il 60119

A service to celebrate Pat’s life will be held at 11:AM, Tuesday morning, January 27,2004, at Conley Funeral Home 116 W. Pierce St/. Elburn, IL. The Rev. Katherine Lawes, pastor of the Community Congregational Church, Elburn will officiate

Interment will follow at Blackberry Cemetery, Elburn.