Patricia (Martin) Margetis passed away quietly on February 1, 2026, surrounded by family after a brief illness. Pat was born in Lafayette, Indiana on June 17, 1953, and grew up in Waukegan, Illinois. She attended Waukegan schools and graduated from Beloit College with degrees in psychology and education after which she taught school in Aurora, Illinois and Turtle Lake and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. She followed her teaching years with being a nanny and private in-home caregiver and made special friends with families like the Berns, the Blooms, and many others. As a child, she was a member of the Girl Scouts and played flute in school bands. As an adult, Pat sang in several choirs in both Wisconsin and Illinois and continued to play the flute for as long as she could. Music was a very important part of her life as well as her beloved Chicago Bears and Cubs. But nothing meant more to her than family and family traditions.

On October 22, 1988, she married Zach Margetis, who along with their daughter, Dina, survive. They were a trio. Where there was one, you’d usually find the other two. They made their home in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.

Pat could be a mischievous and instigating personality. Several family sayings and stories originated with her antics and adventures. A few of which include seaweed eagles, taking Christmas trees though car washes, being tossed into lakes while still in her sleeping bag, telling siblings they were found in the “sewie hole,” alligators coming up through bathtub drains, and special dances to the tune Baby Elephant Walk.

Survivors also include siblings Ellen, Greg, Angela, and Steve, along with several nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Joan Martin and a brother, Mike, and nephew Joshua.

A gathering will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Friedrich’s Funeral Home, 320 Central Rd, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 from 1:00 PM until Memorial Service 3:00 PM.