Patricia "Pat" A. Larimore

Patricia (“Pat”) Ann Larimore- November 16, 1934 – February 25, 2025

Patricia (“Pat”) Ann Larimore passed away peacefully in Eugene, Oregon on February 24, 2025 at the golden age of 90. Pat lived her best life as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, PEO Sister, Girl Scout Leader, teacher, business owner and a great friend a million times over. 

Born in Rockford, IL on November 16, 1934 to Josephine Paige Kuczynski and Aloysius J. Kuczynski, Pat spent most of her youth on her family’s farm with her parents and three siblings. The farmhouse was small with no electricity or plumbing, wood burning stove for heat, outdoor toilet, and situated on a dirt road the family traveled on foot and eventually via a Model A Ford. From her upbringing, Pat learned the meaning of hard work, never giving up, and good old fashioned fun. Her first “business venture” was driving for her mother’s egg route. Pat loved learning and graduated as Valedictorian of the Winnebago High School class of 1952. She dreamed only of becoming a teacher so she landed a job to supplement her scholarship and became the first in her family to attend college, Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. She graduated in 1956 and became a fourth grade teacher at Madison School in Quincy, IL earning an annual salary of $3,300. That same year, Pat became engaged to her college roommate’s brother, Ray L. Larimore, and on December 22, 1956 Pat and Ray were married in the Payson Congregational Church. They honeymooned in St. Louis, MO where they attended their first ever “surround sound” movie.

Pat was the epitome of a “multi-tasker”, early to rise, coffee in hand, making the most of every day on this Earth. She found great joy in cooking and feeding others, was best known for her amazing annual Christmas cookie selection and “Pat’s Cookbook” which she produced in 1999 to share with family and friends. She is remembered by those who knew and loved her as generous, kind, adventurous, fun, funny, a “go-getter”, and a wonderful friend.

Pat and Ray moved to Hamilton, IL from Quincy in 1960 where they lived for 35 years, raised their two children, Mark and Lorri, operated Larimore Oil Company, Pat’s Pit Stop and Moffit’s Mini Mart in Nauvoo, were members of Bethel Presbyterian Church and were highly involved in all aspects of small community living. They loved organizing family gatherings with their siblings and nieces and nephews, camping trips, canoeing adventures, traveling and get-togethers with their good friends. In 1976 Pat was named Hamilton’s “Woman of the Year” for her many years of leading girl scout troops and organizing fundraisers that allowed her scouts to travel to Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Mexico.

In 1994-95 Pat and Ray sold their businesses and family home in Hamilton and retired to Bella Vista, Arkansas (summers) and Harligen, Texas (winters) where they enjoyed spending time and gathering with many newly made friends. They traveled all over the country in their RV and made it to every state. After Ray’s death in 2004, Pat remained in Bella Vista until 2016 when she relocated to Redondo Beach, California to be closer to her daughter, Lorri, and grandchildren. In 2022, Pat relocated with Lorri and granddaughter Mia to Eugene, Oregon for one last grand adventure at Fox Hollow Residential Living where she was cherished by residents and staff alike, enjoyed activities, outings and watching the deer and wild turkeys pass by her window. She entered the welcoming and loving embrace of Jesus on February 25, 2025, with His triumphant whisper, “well done, good and faithful servant”.

Pat is survived by her son Mark Larimore of Mabank, TX; daughter Lorri Perreault of Eugene, OR; grandchildren Lindsay (Larimore) Sappington and husband Hunter, Sydney Larimore, Jameson Perreault and Mia Perreault; great-granddaughter Riley Sappington; brother Tom Kuczynski of Harrisburg, IL; and sister Betty Michles of Winnebago, IL; sister-in-law Marie Kuczynski of Winnebago, IL; and brother-in-law Larry Larimore of Hopkinsville, KY;  19 beloved nieces and nephews  and hundreds of friends around the country.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, Don Kuczynski; and a stillborn granddaughter, Grace Elizabeth Larimore. 

Rest in eternal peace, Pat.  You will be loved forever and dearly missed, until we meet again.