Patricia A. Close

My mother, Patricia Ann Close, affectionately known as Pat, Patty Ann or Trish the Dish, peacefully departed this earthly life on February 18, 2025 at the age of 77. She lived a full, enriched life, beloved by family and friends who cherished her humor, warmth and fierce devotion to everyone she knew and loved. She was a 33-year breast cancer survivor and by all accounts, a real peach. Metaphorically-speaking.

A proud graduate of Moline High School in Moline, IL., 1965, she loved to watch her birds, feed the squirrels and enjoy the outdoors in general. She was quite the little jokester and could always put a smile on your face, particularly when you least expected - or desperately needed - some cheering up.

Mom dedicated an enormous portion of her life as a long-distance telephone operator, initially for Illinois Bell and then for AT&T, talking to literally any moron capable of knocking a payphone receiver off the cradle and banging on the keypad. She served more than 30 years with integrity and diligence, from Norcross & Macon, GA., to Pensacola, FL., until she finally retired at Athens, GA. Afterwards she travelled home to Rock Island, IL., to look after her parents and also worked at MetroLink for several more years.

Sadly, Pat was never lucky in love, but just like her life in general, her three weddings came with silver linings. Pat was married to Charles M. Gleason Sr., resulting in a daughter, a Charles Jr., and a divorce. She was later married to Daniel B. Close - twice - resulting in two divorces along with a huge extended family of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and cherished lifelong friends.

As a devoted grandmother, she relished the time spent with her grandchildren, Brittany Shea (Chris) of Rock Island, IL., Nicholas Shea (Andrea) of El Paso, TX., William Dawson and Miranda Dawson (Tom) of Saint Louis, MO., and precious great-grandchildren, Zane and Amelia.

She is survived by her son, Charles (Tamar) M. Gleason Jr. of Fults, IL., her sister Charmaine (John) Griffith who travels the country with no fixed address, brothers Mark (Susan) Kulig of Buchanan, GA., and Stanley (Bridget) Kulig of Winder, GA., and special friends Germaine, Ashley & Tony. Pat was preceded in death by her daughter, Sherri L. Shea, whom she missed dearly every single day, her parents, Stan and Thelma Kulig, her grandmother Evelyn Kleber, and both of her ex-husbands.

Mama Trish’s legacy continues to survive through the countless lives she has touched. All who had the privilege to know her will remember her loving, giving spirit and sweet soul with great affection and respect. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Private Services will be held.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to:

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