Of Mequon. Died on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the age of 94 years. Beloved mother of Michael K. (Melanie) Jipson and Jeanne A. (Thomas) Ward. Grandmother extraordinaire to Katie (Dan) Wynne, Emily (Garrett) Pataky, Natalie (Dan Yee) Jipson, and Matthew (Nisha Abu) Jipson. Further survived by brother, William Kelley, great grandchildren Theo, Nathan, Alma, Nadia, and Henry, nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Albin and Mabel Kelley and sisters, Sharon (Daryl) Peitersen and Kathy (Mike) Gahagan.
Pat received her Bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of Iowa, a Masters degree in Library Science from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and a Master’s degree in Reading from Cardinal Stritch College. Pat initially taught music in the Colorado Springs School system, and gave private lessons there and in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where her children were born before moving to Glendale in 1961. Although she stayed home when her children were young, she taught as an elementary school librarian in the Glendale-River Hills School District for 30 years, working with dear colleagues at both Green Tree and Parkway Schools, sharing her love of books and reading with thousands of children. After Pat retired from teaching, she became a passionate volunteer, holding various positions with her church and attending several multi-age mission trips, recording books for visually impaired people, serving and cooking for St. Ben’s Meal Program in Milwaukee on a regular basis, and tutoring reading at High Point School. She continued her love of music throughout her life, singing in her church choir at North Shore Congregational Church for 57 years, with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and with other Milwaukee area singing groups. She enjoyed time with several book groups, her PEO chapter, and bible study groups at church. Pat had three cherished dogs during her adult life, and also enjoyed caring for other people’s animals when they traveled or needed help.
During retirement, Pat became an avid traveler to places like Israel, Egypt, Ireland and other European countries, and a wide range of US destinations as well with her church group, a choral group, and various friends and family members. But her favorite activities involved time spent with children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, and participating in their lives as much as possible. She was surely well loved and will be much missed.
Visitation with the family will take place from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM followed by a memorial service celebrating Pat’s life at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at North Shore Congregational Church, 7330 N. Santa Monica, Fox Point, WI.
In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome contributions to North Shore Congregational Church https://onrealm.org/NorthShoreCongr/give/PJipson, or to The Newcastle Place Team Member Scholarship Program. For the latter, checks can be made out to the Lifespace Foundation - NCP and write Scholarships in the memo line, or make a credit card gift online at https://tinyurl.com/4jyxd4df.
