Patricia Chwastek

In Loving Memory of Patricia “Patsy” Chwastek

Patricia “Patsy” Chwastek of Roland, Arkansas, danced her way into heaven on Saturday March 22, 2025, at the age of 86. 

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 5, 1938, Patricia entered this world with a heart full of love, a contagious laugh, and a resilience that carried her through life’s ups and downs.

Patricia “Patsy” grew up in humble beginnings and spent much of her childhood at Angel Guardian Orphanage alongside her siblings, Joseph Aguilera, Shirley Casias, Marion Aguilera, and Judy Lewandowski. Life wasn’t always easy, but Patsy was made of tough stuff. The stories she shared about those years were filled with laughter, adventure. After leaving the orphanage, Patricia and her sister Judy set out to conquer the big city. They were a dynamic duo, always up for a little fun and mischief. Patricia had a special fondness for Elvis Presley and never passed up a weekend getaway to Vegas with Judy to play the slots and enjoy a show, we can only imagine they’ve already reunited in heaven, playing cards, sharing stories, and laughing the way only best friends can.

Patricia never met a stranger. Her warm smile and open heart drew people to her, and she gave kindness generously to anyone lucky enough to cross her path. She poured that love into raising her four children—Joseph Chwastek, Debbie Farley, Theresa Chwastek, and Stash Chwastek—as a single mother. She worked tirelessly to create the safe, loving home she had once dreamed of, and she succeeded beyond measure.

As her family grew, so did her joy. Patsy welcomed new family members with open arms, including Kham Thongvanh wife of Stash, and Brad Baker, husband of Crystal Baker. She cherished her role as Grammy to Crystal Baker, Zack Farley, Alex Farley, Sophie Thongvanh and Nate Chwastek. Grammy made childhood magical for her grandkids, from sleepovers with endless snuggles and movie marathons to making s’mores and sneaking off for spontaneous mall trips. Her love was a constant presence in their lives, wrapped up in her signature laugh and warm embrace.

In later years, Patricia earned a new title: Gigi. She absolutely adored her great-grandsons, Owen Baker and Reid Baker, and never missed an opportunity to watch them grow. Despite the distance, she made the long journey from Arkansas to Georgia many times just to be with them, because that’s the kind of love Patrica gave—boundless and unwavering. Patrica was a shining example of generosity, humor, and resilience, and her legacy lives on in the lives she touched. Whether you knew her as Patrica, Patsy, Mom, Grammy, or Gigi, you knew her as someone who loved fiercely, laughed often, and made every moment count. While we will miss her deeply, we know she’s up there in heaven, playing slots with Judy, swaying to Elvis, and keeping an eye on all of us with a wink and a smile.

Rest easy, sweet Patsy. You filled our lives with love, and we’ll carry that with us forever.