Patricia J. Jensen, age 95, passed away peacefully after a courageous, long battle with dementia and lung cancer.
Patricia was born on September 29, 1930, in Ottawa, Illinois. She grew up primarily in Wheaton, Illinois, where she attended Wheaton High School and formed a close, lifelong circle of friends. She later attended Marquette University, earning her bachelor’s degree in speech therapy.
With her first husband, John Finnegan, Patricia lovingly welcomed four children who were raised in the Chicago area.
Patricia dedicated her early career to education, working as a speech therapist and elementary school teacher. Later in life, she relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where she began a successful second career. She worked as an administrative assistant at the University of Arizona until her retirement.
In Tucson, Patricia found the love of her life in Austin Jensen. With this marriage, she warmly welcomed seven stepchildren and their families.
Throughout her life, Patricia had a love of family, music, travel, reading, movies—especially old musicals, and chocolate.
Patricia was preceded in death by her beloved second husband, Austin Jensen, and her stepdaughter-in-law, Betsy Christensen.
Patricia is survived by her four children and their spouses: Nancy (Daniel) Gorman, Thomas (Barbara) Finnegan, Sally Thayer, and Susan (Brian) Gillespie. Her memory lives on through her 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren from her first marriage.
She is further survived by her seven stepchildren and their spouses: Tom Jensen, Donna (Mike) Mencinger, Mark (Patti) Jensen, Chris (Donna) Jensen, Lisa (Ben) Buckworth, Matt Jensen, and Andy (Tracy) Jensen. Her legacy also extends to her 15 step-grandchildren and many step-great-grandchildren.