Born: March 21, 1927 - Deceased: February 22, 2022
The sun and the moon. Ice cream and cake. Song and dance. Some things in this world exist as perfect pairs, complementing each other so well that their combination is greater than the sum of their parts. Perhaps it is fitting that on February 22, 2022 – a special day celebrating “twos” – Priscilla “Pat” L. (Alvarez) Parker (94) of Collinsville, Illinois, joined her perfect partner of 75 years, John T. Parker, for their first jitterbug in heaven.
Priscilla “Pat” L. (Alvarez) Parker, 94, of Collinsville, Illinois, known as “Aunt Pat” to many, was born on March 21, 1927, in Cherryvale, Kansas, to Spanish immigrant parents. She was raised in East St. Louis, Illinois, at 40th and Waverly, the oldest of five siblings and the only girl, which earned her a cherished position in the family. A graduate of East St. Louis Senior High School, Pat met the love of her life – John T. “Uncle P” Parker – and they married soon after on August 9, 1947. Pat was a loving wife, homemaker, and part owner of Roman’s Children’s Shop in Loisel Village. She was an active member of Queen City #697 Order of the Eastern Star, Al Sihan Temple #29 Daughters of the Nile, Collinsville Women’s Club, the Friends of the Collinsville Historical Museum, Anderson Hospital Auxiliary (Maryville), Past President of the Wednesday Evening Club, and a member of the Kappa Tau Chapter of the Lambda Sigma Alpha Sorority. Together, Aunt Pat and Uncle P traveled all over the United States – Hawaii, California, Arizona – as this duo was always side-by-side, hand-in-hand.
Aunt Pat was a lover of games – Scrabble, bingo, word search puzzles – and could complete any Family Feud or America Says puzzle in record time. However, her real joy was sharing her love of games with her family members, teaching them Scrabble tips using her dictionary-like brain and often gifting decades-old board games she knew would continue to bring her beloved family members together with the name “Parker” and the year a game was purchased written somewhere on the box. She loved having sleepovers, decorating her home perfectly for every holiday, and gifting Krisp Kringle chocolate Santas along with cards and presents at Christmas. An exquisite chef, Aunt Pat’s deviled eggs were always a holiday staple along with whatever new recipe she decided to try out. And, of course, no child in the family could walk past Aunt Pat without her discreetly slipping them a crisp $1 dollar bill just for being adorable.
Every gift Aunt Pat gave was a gift from the heart, but the true gift was the constant love and support she and Uncle P gave to every family member. Pat’s greatest loves in her life were her husband – who was her best friend, confidant, and partner since they met in 1945 – her brothers and sisters-in-law, and her nieces and nephews (and their respective families), whom she loved and dearly cherished over the years. She also had many extended nieces and nephews that were very dear to her. It is Alvarez family tradition to bid each other a “Spanish goodbye” whenever leaving, being sure to give hugs, kisses, and kind words to every member of the family before departing. In this way, a “Spanish goodbye” is not about saying, “Farewell;” it is about letting your family know you love them and, because love is unending, that you will never be apart. Aunt Pat and Uncle P were always among the last to leave a family party, and their love will surely endure.
Aunt Pat was preceded in death by her:
- Husband, John T. Parker
- Parents, Jose M., Sr., and Maria I. (nee Rodriguez) Alvarez
- Brothers:
- Jose M. Alvarez Jr.
- James E. Alvarez Sr.
- Angelo A. Alvarez Sr.
- Eugene Alvarez
- Sister-in-law, Shirley M. Alvarez
- Nephew Terry J. Alvarez
Surviving are her:
- Sisters-in-law:
- Shirley Rose (Robert) Mohrman
- Joyce Alvarez
- Nieces:
- Sherry (Jim) Alvarez Mourey
- Laura Alvarez
- Lynne (Jon) Alvarez Grindstaff
- Pamela (Donald) Alvarez Wilhold
- Nephews:
- Jose M. Alvarez, III
- Anthony J. (Donna) Alvarez, Sr.
- James E. (Judy) Alvarez, Jr.
- Robert C. (Patty) Alvarez
- Michael J. (Karen) Alvarez
- Angelo A. (Mary) Alvarez, Jr.
- Eric J. (Teresa) Alvarez
- Many loving and adorable great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews
- Cousins Joe Artime (and family) and Marylee Kicielinski (and family)
- Her goddaughters, Sharon Medeiros and Pamela Drescher
- Her beloved neighbors, Diane and Bill Warhoover
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children – St. Louis and the American Heart Association.
Visitation: Visitation Saturday, March 5, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois.
Funeral: Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at Kurrus Funeral Home, with Deacon Jim Law officiating. Entombment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Fairview Heights, IL
12 Comments
Aunt Pat I will miss your letter and cards. The last one for Valentine’s Day I will cherish. I know you were ready to be with uncle P. Please say hello to my mom and dad as they were your best friends. I will always remember our Christmas together and the jokes you always played on each othe. You will be missed. Love
Ms Pat was so very special. My great-granddaughter is named Priscilla and was just 5 the other day. Pat called her – “her little name sake” when she first met her at the Empty Bowl 4 years ago and of course gave her the crisp dollar bill.
No one was better at scrabble and no one was more generous with her time and money.
My family will miss, Ms Pat and I hope my little Priscilla grows up to be as sweet as our Ms Pat.
Our thoughts and prayers are with family. Yes, Pat is with Uncle P again. That’s perfect. We have lots of fond memories of Alvarez dances, picnics, dinners, and golf tournaments. We cherish those times. Unfortunately we will not be able to attend Pat’s services as we will be out of town.
Love, Chico and Mary Alvarez
Jim & Judy I would like to express my sincere condolences after reading that your aunt has passed away. I never had the fortune to meet her but I know she was a wonderful person and will be missed by all! You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time!
Aunt Pat to all who knew and loved her–what a lady. Her love and generosity are beyond words. We were not related but we were family to her. We have wonderful memories: Frequent dinners with she and Uncle P and after he passed, the Thursday lunches and beauty shop visits, the Sunday afternoons with pizza and spending time with Molly (they had a mutual love for each other), to the Tuesday and Saturday nights watching game shows with Doody. Our monthly Sunday bingo was always a highlight. Such special memories. We will miss her so much but knowing she and Uncle P are together again eases the pain of losing her.
Aunt Pat, you will be truly missed. I’m sure Uncle P has been waiting to see you. Please, when you see my mom and dad, tell them I miss them❤❤❤…love you
Jackie Dee
I never really knew aunt pat much more did I see her much, only times I was in town visiting my girlfriend (aunt pats niece) Kira but I can tell she really knows how to bring joy to a family and laughter into a room! And boy was she good at scrabble! She will forever live on in our hearts and I send many prayers to the family!
I will forever hold our last conversation we had in my heart. Playing the spoons with you at Mackenzie’s wedding was the best time. The smile you had in your face said it all. I will miss you. Give Uncle “P” a big kiss for me. Till we meet again.
💕
To All of Pats Family and Friends, She was a true Saint how she lived her life. Full of Love ! May GOD resurrect Her into his Glorified place, along with Uncle P , in Pats new home, HEAVEN. Prayers for the Family, and I know Im speaking for my Mom and Dad here as well. We Love Her and Her Family! GOD Bless All of You !! 🙏
Dear “Sister” Pat,
I miss you lots. Thanks for the memories, the kindness, long chats, and lots of laughter! I wish you peace and joy — hand in hand with your dear John. God bless you and all your family. Love
Aunt Pat was one of the greatest people I have ever known in my entire life. She was a very caring and giving person. She was one of the Golden Girls In our little and the rest of us Golden girls will miss her! I will miss watching the St. Louis Cardinals games with you and having lunches with you on Thursday’s and getting our hair done together and getting our pictures taken for every holiday in front of our hairdresser Pam‘s decorated mirrors and being with you every Sunday to play bingo or have our famous pizza party and going shopping with you and ordering things on line that you wanted! You were a very big part of my life and I will never forget you! I loved every minute that I had with you! I know you’re with Uncle P now and you are dancing together again and I love the vision of that! so much! I know we will be together again one day and I look forward to that!