Patricia M. van Rooy Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Patricia (Patsy) Marion van Rooy, 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 15 2020, at her daughter’s home in Gurnee, Illinois. She was born on January 11, 1931 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Patricia discovered her life’s calling as a young child, while hospitalized for two years following complications from rheumatic fever. Thus in 1952, she qualified as an RN from the Johannesburg Nursing College – she especially loved her time in the Children’s Hospital, as well as the Fever Hospital where she had been a patient so many years before. In 1956 she married Errol van Rooy, and during their almost 60-year marriage they were a wonderful model of true partnership. Once her children were grown, Patsy went back to nursing college to specialize in midwifery and was soon placed in charge of Labor Ward at the Johannesburg Hospital, ushering hundreds of babies calmly and safely into the world. Ten years later, she joined former colleagues at one of the first-ever assisted fertility clinics. Patsy retired in 1995 to be a devoted grandmother to Katie and Siobhan. Her wholehearted passion for life, fierce love of her family and sense of humor persisted to the very end. She is survived by her two daughters, Wendy Oxley and Megan Dailey; two granddaughters Katherine (HJ) Blom and Siobhan (Jeff) Mewhinney; and by her nieces and nephews: Diana, Tommy, Aileen and Paul. She was preceded in death by her husband, Errol Henri van Rooy in 2015. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 20, at Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church, 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee, Illinois 60031. For those who would like to attend the service virtually, a link will be posted at www.burnettdane.com where you may also share a memory of Patricia. For information: (847) 362-3009

Patricia M. van Rooy

January 11, 1931 - October 15, 2020