Patricia A. Hood

Patricia A. Hood, age 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her daughters, on Friday, May 24, 2024. 

Pat is survived by her beloved daughters, Tracy (late Ted) Capjak, Jill (Greg Carey) Hood, Amy Hood, Pam (John) Widule, and Kerry (Brian) White; her grandchildren, Eric, Amber, and Mark Zukowski, Brett Capjak, Jake Hood, John Paul Baccus, Jasmyn Arnold, Taylor, Mackenzie, Brett, and Jamie Widule, Bradford, Troy, and Sophia White; her great-grandchildren, Ariya and Luka Baccus; her brother Tom Karczewski; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her loving husband William Hood; her parents Matthew and Frances Karczewski; and her siblings, Dorothy “June” Morin, Jim Karczewski, Sue Pyrzynski, and Phillip Karczewski.

Born on April 18, 1934, to Polish immigrants, Pat was raised on the south side of Chicago and graduated from Saint Michaels High School. After high school, she worked as a secretary in downtown Chicago. Following several years of secretarial work, she joined the U.S. Foreign Service, serving in Djakarta, Indonesia, following in her sister Dorothy’s footsteps. Upon returning to Chicago, Pat began working for Fireman's Fund, where she met the love of her life, Bill Hood. They were married on June 20, 1964, and together they built a beautiful life in Hazel Crest, Illinois, raising their five daughters. Pat’s dedication to her family was unwavering, and she took immense pride in her role as a mother. She was an active volunteer at her children's school and with the PTO, where her efforts left a lasting impact on the community. She was also recognized for her substantial blood donations, a testament to her generosity and compassion.

An avid sports enthusiast, Pat loved volleyball, gymnastics, and ice skating, and she was a dedicated member of the Country Club Hills women’s bowling league for many years. Her lifelong passion for the Chicago Cubs brought her joy and camaraderie, and she celebrated their victories with enthusiasm. She was a word-puzzle fanatic and enjoyed traveling. She took great pride in her grandchildren’s lives, following their sporting and educational achievements.

Pat’s legacy of love, service, and community spirit lives on in the hearts of her daughters and in the memories of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

Services for Patricia will begin on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road in New Lenox, with a visitation from 4pm-8pm. Services will continue the following day, Wednesday, May 29, 2024 with a Mass of Christian Burial being held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mokena at 11am. Pat will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City.  

Rest in peace, Pat. Your light continues to shine brightly in the lives of those you touched.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Heart Association in Pat’s name. 

https://pages.heart.org/may_2024?form=FUNELYZXFBW&s_src=24K511AEMG&s_subsrc=fy24_may_sem_google_text_&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=dr+fy24+lptest_evergreen&utm_source=sem+google&utm_content=prospects+sem+sem_evergreen&utm_term=text&gad_source=1