Patricia (O'Brien) Frechette

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Frechette, Patricia O'Brien Passed away September 7, 2016, at age 78 of complications from a stroke. She passed peacefully with her family at her side. Pat was born on March 11, 1938 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to Perry and Alicia (Sexton) O'Brien and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin. She graduated from The University of Wisconsin Madison in 1960 with a degree in Education. In 1961 she married her high school sweetheart, Pete Frechette and taught elementary school. They lived in several cities before settling in Glencoe, Illinois where they raised their twin daughters. In 1983 the family relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota and in 1999 the family began to call Beaver Creek, Colorado their second home. Pat led a full and active life. She was very involved in both the Minneapolis and Vail Valley communities. Pat was passionate about and committed to supporting education. Together with her husband, she supported many organizations including Colonial Williamsburg, University of St. Catherine, Marquette University, Roundup River Ranch, Walking Mountains Science Center and Betty Ford Gardens to name a few. Pat was devoted to her family and loved gardening. She cultivated the most beautiful gardens at her homes. She especially enjoyed sharing good food and socializing with family and friends. She and her husband Pete spent many summers in the Vail Valley enjoying Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, the Vail International Dance Festival and the Vail Jazz Festival. Family and friends will miss her warm smile and zest for life. She leaves her beloved husband of 55 years, Pete; her daughters, Kathy Tenhula (Peter) of Alexandria, Virginia and Kristy Woolfolk (Bill) of Hinsdale, Illinois; and her grandchildren Grace, Claire and Tom Tenhula and Tucker and Spencer Woolfolk. She is predeceased by her father and mother, Perry and Alicia O'Brien, her sister Mary O'Brien and her brother George O'Brien. The family wishes to thank Pat's nurses and caregivers from Abbott Northwestern Hospital, LifeSprk, Interim Hospice and the staff at TowerLight in Minneapolis. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 16 at the Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis. Father John Bauer will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial. Visitation will be at the Basilica of St. Mary at 10:00 am prior to the Mass. A private family interment will be held at a later date. Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home will be handling funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Pat's name to: Mass General Hospital, Dr. Steven Greenberg, Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA) Research Fund angiopathy.org/… Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published on September 11, 2016