Patricia Schelp Obituary

Patricia "Pat" Williams Schelp passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Peoria, Illinois. She was born on September 5 but never really acknowledged the actual year of her birth, so even her family does not know the exact year. On a trip to Florida she met the love of her life, Robert Schelp, who was from New York. He moved to Peoria to be with her and they married on January 28, 1967, following one of the worst blizzards the Midwest has ever seen. Stories are still told to this day about the lengths people went to help Pat and Bob get married. He passed away on September 24, 2014, and her children are comforted knowing that Pat and Bob are back together.
She is survived by her children, Kathleen (Ed) Smith of Honolulu, Hawaii, Jennifer (Larry) Guppy of Houston, Texas, and Robert (Mary Jean) Schelp of Wilmette, Illinois; and four grandchildren, Jack Guppy, Hallie Smith, Connor Schelp and Kellan Schelp. She is also survived by two brothers, Carl and Tom Williams; one sister, Kitty Lewis; a sister-in-law, Linda Mascale; and too many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews to count.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Effie Williams; three sisters, Maureen (Doll) Couri, Marlene (Honey Bee) Miller, and Margie McDonald; as well as one brother, Bill Williams. She was also preceded by one of her dearest friends and closest cousin, Carol Deeb.
The entirety of Pat's career, from the moment she left high school, until she retired a few years ago, was spent in service to the Catholic Diocese of Peoria. She assumed many roles, from secretary to building manager, and made many friends along the way. This service to the Catholic Diocese extended through her faith, and she was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church for most of her life.
But Pat also found great joy in being a part of the Itoo Society, whether through serving on their Board to volunteering at general social events. If you ever went to the Itoo Supper or Shish-Ka-Bob, you shared in Pat's service, since she was the chef behind the salad. She had a secret that she held on to and only recently shared with her daughter with strict instructions to only share it upon her death. So here it is: 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup pepper, 1 cup mint, 2/3 cup oregano, 2/3 cup garlic. Divide into 1/2 cup servings and mix each serving with 2/3 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup lemon, 1/2 to 1 cup oil.
The family would like to take this opportunity to express thanks to the team at Right at Home and Bickford for the love and care shown to Pat over the past few months. You helped make her last few weeks more comfortable with a compassion and understanding that gave us peace of mind. Thank you for everything, and we are sure you feel our loss as well.
A visitation for Pat will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Wright and Salmon Mortuary from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at St. Mark's Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. with a short visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. beforehand. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in West Peoria.
To celebrate Pat, her family is asking that in lieu of flowers you consider planting some flowers in your yard, as she loved her gardens. If you don't have Pat's green thumb, her family is asking that you make memorials to a charity of your choice or offer up services at Mass.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.wrightandsalmon.com.