Patricia A. Wellinski, 79, of La Porte, Indiana passed away on Holy Saturday, April 8th, 2023. Patricia was born August 25th, 1943, in La Porte, Indiana, to the late Bennie and Kathryn (Hynek) Zarr.
On September 9th, 1961, Patricia married David Wellinski who preceded her in death on April 5th, 2020, which was Palm Sunday.
Family members called her Mom, Granny, Grandma, or Penny. Friends called her Pat. She welcomed and fed anyone who came to her home. She will always be remembered for her huge homemade meals complete with delicious desserts. She made sure that neighbors, friends, and family members were always well fed, especially during difficult times. A self- taught bookkeeper/accountant, she worked at several businesses during her lifetime, even until a month before her passing. Her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the center of her life. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage 4 cancer 14 years ago and insisted it was not her time to go because she wanted to see all of her grandchildren go off to school. She miraculously survived and fulfilled her goal while using her additional time to serve the needy. She taught herself how to loom and made dozens of hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, and shawls for family, cancer patients, cancer center employees, and the needy. She also taught residents at Oakwoods Manor how to loom. She passed away at home knowing that she is dearly loved and will never be forgotten.
Patricia is survived by three sons, Robert (Mary) Wellinski, Stephen Wellinski, Gregory Wellinski; eight grandchildren, Alan (Victoria) Wellinski, Matthew (Dare) Wellinski, Julia Wellinski, Michael Wellinski, John Paul Wellinski, Rebecca Wellinski, Addison Wellinski, Melody Wellinski; two great-grandchildren, Madelyn Wellinski and Wynn Wellinski; Lady, her dog; a sister, Nancy (Bruce) Terman; a brother, Harold Zarr; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, David; and two brothers, Dick Zarr and Alan Zarr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 14th, 2023, at Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church in La Porte, with Reverend Nate Edquist and Reverend Ian Williams officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry, 109 C. Street, La Porte, Indiana 46350, or LaPorte County Small Animal Shelter, 2855 W. State Road 2, LaPorte, Indiana 46350.
To light a virtual candle, share a story of Patricia’s life or leave a message of comfort for her family, please visit esslingfuneralhome.com.
