Patricia A. “Pat” Torrence, 77, of Patoka, Illinois passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. She was born on July 20, 1944, the daughter of Daniel and Gertrude (Eagan) Giberson in Centralia, Illinois. She married Terry Torrence on June 10, 1967, in Carbondale and he preceded her in death on October 17, 2006.
Survivors that will remember Pat’s quick wit and kind heart include her beloved family, sons Dan (Natalie) Torrence of St. Louis, Missouri, and Mike (Norma) Torrence of Patoka; daughter Jani (Brent) Bunn of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren Zach, Nolan, Elijah, Madissen, Hayden, Liv, Jack, Reese, and Nora; great-grandson Mason.
Along with her husband of 39 years, Pat was preceded in death by her parents; and her sisters Velma “Happy” Grasher, and Helen Jackson.
Pat was a longtime member of the Patoka United Methodist Church. She valued education and never stopped learning with a true passion for history. She was a proud graduate of Centralia High School, Class of 1962, and she completed her bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1967. Pat had a love of music and was part of the marching band at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
No stranger to rolling up her sleeves for a full day of hard work, Pat and her husband Terry tended their dairy farm together. Pat had a dedicated teaching career for over 40 years, working as a teacher for Patoka and Odin schools and a librarian at Patoka school. She was a welcome face to the students at Patoka school, where they toed the line because they liked and respected her.
Pat was a pillar of her community, playing an intricate role in starting the Patoka ambulance service and volunteering her time to help those in need. She served on the Patoka School Board, coached high school volleyball, and was a camp counselor, teaching campers the ins and outs of canoeing and swimming. She was patriotic and well known for her love of writing beautiful poetry to honor our country. Pat never had a bigger smile on her face than when she was spending time with her grandchildren, being the best “MoMo”, sharing awesome advice, being their biggest cheerleader, and showering them with love.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 11, 2022, at the Patoka United Methodist Church with Rev. Kevin Kriesel and Hap Jolliff officiating. Interment will follow at Bear Creek Cemetery in Vernon. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 10, 2022, at the church and 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 10:00 a.m. on Monday. Memorials may be made in Pat’s honor to Bear Creek Cemetery, Patoka Ambulance, and Patoka United Methodist Church. Online condolences and memories of Pat may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page. Day Macz Funeral Home in Patoka is privileged to be assisting the family of Pat Torrence with arrangements.
