Patricia (Tenebrini) McCarthy Daniel, 72, Former Oak Park Resident, Enthusiastic Champion of Others

Patricia (Tenebrini) McCarthy Daniel, 72, a former Oak Park resident, died peacefully and surrounded by family on March 5, 2015 at her home in Palm Springs, Calif.

Pat was born on January 15, 1943 in Chicago, the daughter of Columbo “Jack” and Helen Tenebrini. Pat spent her childhood growing up in Chicago and then Elmhurst with her two older sisters, Mary Lou and Gloria, and her younger brother, Paul.

A 1960 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst, Pat enrolled at Webster University near St. Louis before leaving school. She was married in June 1962 and had two daughters, Karyn and Bridgett.

Pat had an encouraging word for everybody, a voracious appetite for books and movies, and accumulated wide-ranging knowledge that she generously shared with others. In particular, she developed a keen medical mind that made her a de facto aches-and-pains adviser to family and friends.

In addition, Pat was an enthusiastic champion of others—a trait that served her well in the 1970s and ‘80s as a representative for advertising photographers, artists and other creative talents. During that time, she met the love of her life and future husband, Bill Daniel, who went on to become an advertising agency owner.

They traveled extensively, and in style, to an assortment of international locales. Their vacations took them to spots like Mexico, Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Italy. Without fail, they came back with stories of adventure (and hilarious misadventure) that underscored the fast friendships they easily formed on their journeys.

Pat was deeply intuitive. One time in the mid-1970s, she met a musclebound bouncer at a Chicago nightclub. After “reading” his palms, she assured him that he was bound for great fame. Within a few years, he was known globally as Mr. T.

Pat lived in Chicago from 1978 to 1994, then moved with Bill to Oak Park to be close to her two daughters and their families. For the next 11 years, Pat and Bill’s home on North Taylor Avenue was a frequent hub of social activity, from her daughter Bridgett’s backyard wedding to holiday, birthday and a variety of other celebrations.

In that time, Pat also delighted in being part of the early years of her four grandchildren, Natalie & Zane Lindeman, and Zach & Maggie Rose Baron.

She and Bill moved to Palm Springs in 2005, where they lived near her brother and his wife. Most recently, she hosted Thanksgiving for more than 25 family and friends visiting from near and far. In semi-retirement, Pat also worked as a production listings coordinator for “Below the Line,” a movie industry newsletter that serves as “the voice of the crew.”

Her entertainment industry roots date back to the 1980s, when she began working, primarily as a production coordinator, on movies and television shows that filmed in Chicago. Her credits include “ER,” “Chicago Hope,” and “Fred Claus.” In that capacity, Pat was a beloved “mother hen” to the many men and women she worked alongside for over 20 years.

Pat will be remembered in many ways, but perhaps most by her hearty laugh, her ubiquitous reading glasses and her child-like zest for seeing the extraordinary beauty in what others would dismiss as the ordinary of life.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Mary Lou Kubitz and Gloria Pekelsma, and her brother-in-law Al Kubitz.

Survivors include her husband, Bill, her daughters Karyn (Les Lindeman) McCarthy and Bridgett (Matt) Baron, her adopted daughter, Brittny McCarthy, her brother, Paul Tenebrini, and his wife, Nina Ushana; grandchildren Natalie, Zane, Zach and Maggie Rose; her former husband, Tim McCarthy; brother-in-law Glenn Pekelsma; nephews John (Darla Jo) Kubitz, Jim (Joy) Kubitz, Jeff (Robin) Pekelsma; nieces Susan Kubitz, Pam Ziarko, Chris (Tom) Hanchin and Jennifer (Steve) Kane; and many other relatives and friends.

At Pat’s request, there were no funeral services. Instead, and in keeping with her fun-loving spirit, she called for celebrations of her life. The first was held on April 4th in Palm Springs and another one is set for May 9th—the day before Mother’s Day—in Oak Park.

For more information, please visit www.celebratingpatty.com.