HUNTLEY – Patricia Ann (“Patti”) Villars, nee Adams, was born October 2, 1929 in Cincinnati, Ohio and died at home in Huntley on April 9, 2016. She is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Horace S. “Hank” Villars, two brothers – Dave (Carol) Adams and Jim (Toby-Claire) Adams, five children – Rebecca (Martin) Davis, Thomas (Kate) Villars, Constance (Dave) Soper, Laura Leonard and Russell Villars, seven grandchildren – Amy (Dave) Stuart, Sarah Leonard, Christie (Cameron) Nyquist, Jessica Davis, Jonathan (Kim) Davis, Ivan Villars and Emily Suttman Villars. She was great-grandmother to Felicity and Holly Stuart, Caden and Colton Nyquist and Adaline Patricia and Diana Davis. She is also survived by her cousin, Dorothy Kay Bridges, her sister-in-law, Emily Villars Zander, two nieces, Louise and Jacqueline, and one nephew, Hunter Adams. Patti was preceded in death by her parents, Lyndon O. Adams and Edith Sarah (Davis) Adams.
Patti grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, went to high school in Evanston, IL and attended Northwestern University. After her marriage, Patti lived in Lincoln Park West and Rogers Park before moving to Elk Grove Village in 1959. Twenty years and three houses later, Patti and Hank moved to Sleepy Hollow, and later to Huntley’s Del Webb subdivision.
Patti was a long-time employee of Marshall Field & Company, starting as an elevator operator at the Evanston store, a sales clerk at the Oakbrook store and later as manager of Moderately Priced Dresses at the Woodfield store. Her interests included fashion, interior design and antiques. She loved crossword puzzles, quilts, books, dolls, anything Dutch or French, and anything blue-and-white. Those colors will forever say “Patti” to her family. She also loved to explore new places, and her travels included visits to China, the United Kingdom and France. Patti, the acknowledged matriarch of a large, noisy family, enjoyed life, could out-stubborn anyone and would never choose salad over a dessert or two. She was a real firecracker – a vibrant, strong-willed woman with a huge personality that made an impact on everyone who crossed her path. She will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 16 from 3- 7 p.m. at DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Rd, Huntley, IL 60142. For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or on-line condolences may be directed to www.defiorejorgensen.com in lieu of flowers memorial may be directed to Huntley Fire Protection District (EMT) PO Box 517 Huntley, IL 60142
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As a somewhat introverted son of hers, I can attest to the 'large, noisy family' she (and her husband, my Dad) presided over. On the day before she died, I was sitting in her bedroom next to her, and in the living room on the other side of her closed door, voices were talking over one another in many layers - most all of them female, too, of course. I said to Mom, 'those are definitely your girls out there, Mom' and she raised her head and looked at me. I think she knew what I was talking about. My wife Kate could've written those words about never choosing salad over a dessert or two. The first time Kate and Mom shared a meal together, at a restaurant with my Dad on the way back to their house from O'Hare, Mom ordered an appetizer and a dessert of profiteroles. That made a lasting impression on Kate! She must've been thinking - whoa, just what kind of mother-in-law am I getting here?! This should be fun! We'll miss you, Mom.
I never met Patty, but would have loved her. My kind of woman: and would never choose salad over a dessert or two. Rest in Peace, dear Lady.
Patti's eldest daughter, Becke, and I have been friends since childhood. I always considered Patti and Hank as my second parents, and I loved hanging out in their usually crazy, noisy house as a kid. Patti to me was always such a sophisticated lady - beautiful, tall, well dressed-- I always admired her vivacious personality, her career... she really had it all in a time when that was rare. She and Hank created a beautiful life and a beautiful family filled with fun and love, and she will always be fondly remembered. Rest in peace, Patti.
I had the honor of speaking with Patti on the phone last summer, as I sat with her youngest son Russell. She was full of life and love, and I'm so glad we had that conversation. What a wonderful life she had! She was deeply loved! My deepest condolences to the Villars family.
Theres so many amazing things I can say about my grandma. Honestly Im the person I am because of her. Shes always been strong-willed but always put her family first. She really appreciated the little things which is one of the things I loved about her. I love that my daughter Felicity and I would pull out her old jewelry box and she could tell me every designer of every piece of jewelry and when she got it. I wish I had more time with her even though I know how lucky we are to have been graced with her presence this long. Growing up we preferred going over to her house over going to hang out with our friends, even better our friends asked to come with us and Grandma welcome them all with open arms. There are just so many great memories that I treasure of our life growing up with her. I just miss her so much already. Im glad that she also got to be a part of my two little girls lives. I will make sure I share stories of her so they know what a special lady she was and how much she loved them as well. Love you grandma nonnie.
My condolences to the Villars family. I know that you are a loving clan, kudos to both of your parents for raising such a close and joyful family! Remember that if you keep loving each other; sharing memories of your beloved Mother/Grandmother/Great-Grandmother, a part of her will always be with you. Peace to you all at this sad time.
Growing up, I was drawn to the Villars' house for several reasons. First, my friendship with Becke and Thom; second, the constant action and decibel level and; third, the warm and loving atmosphere of that happy household. Patty and Hank welcomed it all and even found moments to kiss in the kitchen. I witnessed that! I echo my sister's comments. Patti lives on and on and on in your prolific family and in your happy memories of her great personality. I miss you, Patti, and I am glad we spoke last year.
Grandma was without question the matriarch of the Villars family. While some might assume she got this position by default of her position as Grandma, this grossly understates the extent that she earned it by being completely devoted to her entire family from the first day of many of our lives. Many of my best childhood memories are of time spent with Grandma. My best bud Christie and I would hang out with Grandma while our parents were at work. Grandma would take us on adventures to go antiquing with her and then to lunch on a boat at Port Edward But the best adventures were at Grandma and Grandpas house. Grandma and Grandpas house was a childs paradise It had a huge front porch with a swing. A backyard that seemed to go on for miles, playset and all. A huge deck with a screened in porch and two hammocks. A hill in the front for us to roll down. A refrigerator hidden behind a wall of what I learned as an adult were embarrassing pictures of me at least. A finished basement loaded with toys, books, and dress up materials with enough built in futons to sleep every kid in the family, even though we rarely slept down there because we each had a color coded room upstairs. I feel lucky that when I stayed at Grandma and Grandpas house growing up I got to stay in the blue room. This was probably because the red room was bigger and therefore went to my older sister, but inside Grandmas house, the blue room had to be reserved for the favorite child. I imagine everyone who ever met Grandma knew blue and white were her favorite colors. It was very exciting, once we were all adults and Grandma and Grandpa moved to their new house in Del Webb, Grandma got to have blue carpets throughout her entire house complemented by white walls decorated with her impressive collection of blue and white china plates. At a family gathering a few years ago she was telling my dad about a new Riesling wine Grandpa picked out at the store. My dad asked well, do you like it and she responded of course I do Its got a blue bottle Grandma loved to talk to her family and share stories. For as long as I can remember, Grandma and Grandpa have been the first people I called whenever I had exciting news. When we found out we were having our first daughter, Adaline, Grandmas second granddaughter, Grandmas response You rascals was one of our favorites. As a parent, I have had the pleasure of seeing Grandmas playful devotion to the kids in her life from a different perspective. Grandma spent a little time every day patiently talking on the phone to baby Adaline and then baby Diana, before they learned that it is polite to respond when talking on the phone or even how to talk. Grandmas new house became a new paradise for her great grandkids. Both Adaline and Diana were fascinated with Grandmas doll collection and loved to play with the tea time set Grandma kept in the living room. My last memory of Grandma is from our last visit a few weeks ago. Even though Grandma was having trouble walking by this point, she got out of bed so she could sit in her favorite chair in the living room. She let Adaline pick a treasure, a long gold necklace, from her secret chest. Adaline was very excited. Im so happy that both my girls got the opportunity to meet Grandma. While Im disappointed I wasnt able to be with Grandma during her final days, I know she would have been happy that she was surrounded by family. The family has a permanent void that cannot be filled now that Grandma is gone, but we can do our best to fill it by being as loving and playful as we can be. I love and miss you Grandma.
I worked with Patti at MF&Co Woodfield - my first job out of college. She was a force and taught me so much, not only about work but about life and how to treat people with respect. I was recently reminded of her when I found an antique plate she gave me in 1980s. So saddened to hear of her passing. I’m sure you miss the sound of her infectious laugh. Peace to the family.
I worked with Patti at MF&Co Woodfield - my first job out of college. She was a force and taught me so much, not only about work but about life and how to treat people with respect. I was recently reminded of her when I found an antique plate she gave me in 1980s. So saddened to hear of her passing. I’m sure you miss the sound of her infectious laugh. Peace to the family.