Thelma R. Pawloski

Thelma R. Pawloski born July 8, 1936 to Joseph W. Petrie and Ethel V. (nee Eichenberger) Petrie in Oak Park, IL. Thelma also had a brother Glenn Petrie. They lived in Oak Park until the late 1950’s, when they moved to the beautiful Fox Valley, settling in Geneva.

Thelma was an avid reader since childhood. She loved going to the movies to see the latest musical or western, which she and her father enjoyed seeing together. Upon moving to the Fox Valley, she inquired into a theatrical group, the Playmakers, she loved it! She portrayed various characters throughout the years and acted as stage manager in numerous productions.

She joined the Chancel Choir at their new church, Baker Memorial Methodist Church. She would sing for sunrise service and again for the morning service. During that time the choir, under B.G. Gross, was broadcasted through the local radio station for all to hear.

In the early 1960’s Thelma worked at Electromotive she worked in the drafting department and transported highly classified information from one department to the next. While working there, she met John T. Pawloski. John T. and Thelma were married on May 9, 1964. Thelma became an instant mom to son John M. and Theresa L. In May of 1965, they were blessed with their only child together, Leilani J. Pawloski.

During the late 1960s B.G. Gross asked her to start a drama department at Baker Memorial Methodist Church and was born the Baker School of Fine Arts. She taught children’s drama for many years. The plays were written and directed by her. She loved working with children and is a memory she had for a lifetime. Many of the children remained in music and theater into adulthood.

She was always at her typewriter writing books and plays. She had one play published in the 1980’s.

Thelma and her family moved often, due to her husbands’ job. She became a master packer, and the family joked that she would write a book about packing. In all seriousness, the moves totaled 39 times.

Thelma was a homemaker, playwright, and author. She was “Ma P” to her daughters’ friends. She was a second mom to many. She loved to garden in her immaculate home. She had flourishing greenery in every room. She even named her plants, stating that it would make them grow better, and they did! Her vegetable gardens flourished each year. She shared the yield with the church for the less fortunate. She was famous for her fruitcake. She made it each year for friends and family. Some even requested her fruitcake. She used her grandmother’s recipe and was happy to pass along the delectable tasting cake.

Thelma loved being a grandmother. She and her granddaughter Christina were very close. Christina would spend a lot of time with her grandparents. Christina and grandma would stay up late watching Golden girls, Murder She wrote, and any musical that happened to be on TV, the favorite one being Calamity Jane.

Later, she enjoyed her shows, Law and Order: SVU and NCIS. She loved Gibbs! She liked watching this with Christina and her grandson Louis.

She so loved her family and friends, she never forgot a birthday, holiday, anniversary, or any other important date. They always received a card. She was liked by everyone she met.

Her greatest fulfillment in life as to watch her grandchildren become adults and bring in new life into her great grandchildren.

Thelma leaves behind her daughter Leilani J. Pawloski, step children; Theresa (Robert) Knapp and John M. (Debbie) Pawloski, grandchildren; Christina R. (Adam) Snider, Louis T. (Mikayla) Pippenger, Christopher (Kuersten) McCulloh, Rachel and Allison Mcculloh, Cynthia Knapp, Rudy (Sarah) Knapp, Tamara (Joseph) Cumbo, Aaron and Kelly Dent, Allison and Jake Kaster, great-grandchildren; Verona (Maracole), Lilith (Liliana), Vladimir, Phoenix, Sarah, Brandon, Seth, Thomas, Sophia, Benjamin, Vincent, Gianna, Emma Grace, Bella Faith, and Grady James. In addition, she leaves her beloved sister in law Carolyn Petrie, nieces and nephews; Laurie and Todd Maul and Alan and Brenda Petrie, Great nieces and nephews; Luke, Cody, Lexi, Jacob, Brandon, and Dana. She also left many cousins, whom she loved greatly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ethel, her brother Glenn, her husband John, Grandson Robbie Knapp and great granddaughter Lotis.

“She gave me my first breath and I cradled her as She took her last.”

Services will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements by Moss Family Funeral Home St. Charles 630-584-2000 or www.mossfuneral.com.