Patricia A. Maxson

Patricia A. Maxson, age 90, formerly of Batavia, passed away Friday, December 5, 2025 at Arden Courts in Geneva surrounded by her loving family.  She had an amazing spirit and essence which she never lost through all of life’s challenges.

She was born August 9, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Thomas F. and Julia K. (Kruzsets) McDonald.  Growing up, she was a member of St. Michael’s parish in Chicago and attended St. Michael’s school.  She graduated from St. Alphonsus Commercial High School in 1953.  Patricia worked in various organizations starting as an Illinois Bell telephone operator and then as a secretary in SEIU Union Local 73.  She married the love of her life, Frank, in 1960 and they were married for 64 years until his death in 2024.

After raising her family, she worked in the jewelry departments of McDade & Co. and Main Street and at Weight Watchers.  She was a wonderful, supportive, and fun-loving mother and served in various roles with the Cub Scouts and Campfire Girls.  She was on many bowling teams with her friends.  Patricia had various beloved pets; yet, cats became her favorite, specifically the Burmese breed.  She loved Blackie, Midnight, Rusty, Toffee, Smokey, Cocoa and Scooter.  She was a fantastic cook and baker, taking after her grandmother Bertha Retzler, becoming family famous for her corned beef and cabbage, taco salad, Irish soda bread, banana cake, lemon cake, chocolate chip cookies, and so much more.

She celebrated her Irish heritage and collected many Irish related items.  Patricia also collected owls of every type and shape from decorations to books.  She was quite the homemaker and home decorator and enjoyed gardening and doing word search puzzles.

While only standing 4’11” she was a fierce protector of her family and a fighter.  As a child she had polio and made a full recovery.  Later she lost her right eye to cancer but continued driving (though losing her depth perception could turn some rides into thrillers) to see friends and family and take her grandchildren shopping.  To help soften rehab from back, knee, and open heart surgeries she always brought homemade treats to her therapists.  She later survived a broken hip, a brain bleed, and a fractured pelvis.  She was in hospice starting April 2025, graduating out of it on June 20th. While enduring vascular dementia, she continued to find ways for her quick wit, kindness, and love to shine through.  As she approached the end of her life she still smiled and offered nuggets of wisdom.  Patricia’s caregivers were fond of her and many requested to serve her because of her humor and cooperative nature.  She was one tough cookie.

She is survived by her children Scott (Elaine) Maxson of Aurora and Kelley (Bob) Burgbacher of Tennessee; grandchildren Ethan (Alyssa), Shannon, and Rachel Maxson and Emily and Sarah Burgbacher; near lifelong friend Bernadette Mayer.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Shirley M. Trizinski and Thomas L. McDonald, and her husband Frank in November of 2024.

Visitation will be held Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10:00 am until the time of her funeral service at 1:00 pm at Malone Funeral Home, 324 East State St. (Rt. 38) Geneva, with Deacon Greg D’Anna officiating.

Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or by mailing to:

Alzheimer’s Association

225 N. Michigan Ave.

Floor 17

Chicago, IL 60601

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