Patricia A. Scott, age 98, passed away on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Beacon Hill Health Center in Lombard, after living with congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and vascular dementia for many years. Pat was born Aug. 10, 1928, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Albert and Linda (Wirsing) Axel. She was a graduate of Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw, and attended Alma College in Alma, MI. She worked for many years as an administrative assistant for Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. She retired from American Can Company in Oak Brook, IL.
Pat was the youngest of five children and became the matriarch of a large extended family in which the family motto was "Keep Smiling!" In addition to her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her siblings, Harriet (late Guy) Case, Gladys (late Fred) Kerns, Vera (late Henry) Hart, and Bill (late Donna) Axel, nephew Dick (late Barb) Case, niece Karen Kerns (late Bill) O'Connor, niece Lynn Hart Smith, nephew Bill Axel (survived by Kay), and Janice Axel Travis (late Bob).
She is survived by her nephew Bill (late Jody) Case of Colorado, niece Susie Case Rush (late John) of Michigan, niece Nancy Kerns Anderson of Kansas, nephew Fred (Susan) Kerns of Michigan, nephew John (Shelly) Hart of South Carolina, and nephew Tom (Carla) Axel of Louisiana. She is also survived by a genealogy notebook full of beloved great-, great-great-, and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
Pat married Joseph S. Scott, Jr., on May 6, 1972, in Midland, Michigan. They were introduced by Pat's college roommate, whose husband worked with Joe at Commonwealth Edison. Pat moved to Illinois where they first had an apartment in Lombard, then a home in Villa Park. "Pat 'n Joe" were long-time active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Villa Park. They were also active volunteers with the Deicke Home in Lombard, where Joe's sister, Bernice, was a resident.
In 2002, they moved to the Beacon Hill community in Lombard where they became volunteers and active participants in many activities. Pat had a lovely soprano voice which she lent to the choirs at St. Paul and Beacon Hill. They traveled the world enjoying Elderhostel excursions and many visits to Joe's family in England.
After 36 years of marriage, Joe passed away on Sept. 30, 2008, at Beacon Hill. Pat was also preceded by her in-laws, Joseph Scott, Sr. and Violet Scott, as well as her sister-in-law, Bernice Scott. Pat is survived by her stepdaughters, Barbara Scott of Villa Park and Virginia Scott, with two step grandsons, Chu and Liu Scott, of Colorado.
Memorial Gathering Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 545 Ardmore Ave., Villa Park, Illinois. Arrangements entrusted to Steuerle Funeral Home, Villa Park. For info: steuerlefh.com or 630-832-4161. Private interment will take place at Acacia Park Cemetery, Chicago.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 545 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181; the Team Member Appreciation Fund at Beacon Hill, 2400 S. Finley Road, Lombard, IL 60148; or Serenity One Hospice, 2200 S. Main Street, Suite 212, Lombard, IL 60148.
The family thanks Patrick and the Lilac Wing staff at Beacon Hill, Rose and her team from Serenity One Hospice, and Pastor Zak of St. Paul Lutheran Church for their ongoing support and care for Pat.
Pat wants you to "Keep Smiling!"
