Patricia P. Walker

Patricia Price Walker, 94, (formerly of Peoria, Illinois) died peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Wesley Willows, Rockford, Illinois.

Her extended family and friends remember Pat as a woman of strong Christian faith with a bright, infectious smile.

Pat was the youngest of three children to Arthur L. and Dorothy B. Price. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 30, 1930, but grew up in Champaign, Illinois. There she attended Uni High (University of Illinois High School) and graduated with honors at the age of 16. She went on to achieve a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. While in school there, she met Robert Kent Walker (of Clinton, Illinois) whom she married on June 24, 1951.

Pat was passionate about Bible study, poetry, and reading. She also put energy into advocating for women’s and human rights, in general. She was a progressive feminist and enjoyed expressing herself through poetry and dance.

She and Kent enjoyed music, art, nature, wildflowers, birds, and canoeing. They helped to revive native prairies and used native plants in their yard. One of their favorite places to visit was Door County, Wisconsin. Pat played piano and loved to sing.

After Kent was diagnosed with cancer in 1972, Pat returned to school and earned a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Sangamon State University (now the University of Illinois – Springfield). She had a private practice in Peoria for a number of years.

In 1996, Pat & Kent decided to move to Rockford to be closer to family and a recently purchased farm in Caledonia. They easily made a new home and new friends for themselves, and called Spring Creek United Church of Christ their church home. With friends from there, Pat began a centering prayer group that often met in her home.

Pat and Kent were happily married for 56 years when Kent passed away in 2007. She is survived by her children, David Walker (Terry) of Caledonia, John Walker (Kate) of Wheaton and Kathryn Walker Zavaleta of Wheaton; her grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth “Liz” Walker (Edward “Mac” MacCormick), Carle Zavaleta (Kaitlyn), Jeremy Walker (Molly), Joel Zavaleta (Jessica Perez), Michael Walker (Rachael), Mitchell Walker (Amanda), Luke Walker and Elijah Walker; and her great grandchildren, Aiden Zavaleta, Amelia Zavaleta, Logan Zavaleta, and Kieran Zavaleta.

All are invited to a memorial service and celebration of her life at Spring Creek United Church of Christ in Rockford at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, with visitation to follow from 2 to 4pm.

Fitzgerald Funeral home is handling arrangements.

The family suggests contributions in lieu of flowers to Wild Ones (Rock River Valley Chapter), the Natural Land Institute, or Spring Creek UCC.