Patricia (Tenebrini) McCarthy Daniel, 72, a former Oak Park resident, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on March 5, 2015 at her home in Palm Springs, California. Born on Jan. 15, 1943 in Chicago, to Columbo “Jack” and Helen Tenebrini, she spent her childhood growing up there and in Elmhurst. A 1960 graduate of Elmhurst’s Immaculate Conception High School, she enrolled at Webster University, near St. Louis, before leaving school. She was married in June, 1962 and had two daughters, Karyn and Bridgett.
She 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 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.
The couple lived in Chicago from 1978 to 1994, then moved to Oak Park. For the next 11 years, their 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. Her entertainment industry roots date back to the 1980s, when she began working, primarily as a production coordinator, on movies and television shows filmed in Chicago. Her credits include ER, Chicago Hope, and Fred Claus. In that capacity, she was a beloved “mother hen” to the many men and women she worked alongside for over 20 years.
She and her husband 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, she worked as a production listings coordinator for Below the Line, a movie industry newsletter that serves as “the voice of the crew.”
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. She will be remembered in many ways, but perhaps most by her hearty laugh, her ubiquitous reading glasses and her childlike zest for seeing the extraordinary beauty in what others would dismiss as the ordinary of life.
Pat Daniel is survived by 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; her grandchildren, Natalie, Zane, Zach and Maggie Rose; her former husband, Tim McCarthy; her brother-in-law, Glenn Pekelsma; her nephews, John (Darla Jo) Kubitz, Jim (Joy) Kubitz, Jeff (Robin) Pekelsma; her nieces, Susan Kubitz, Pam Ziarko, Chris (Tom) Hanchin and Jennifer (Steve) Kane; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Mary Lou Kubitz and Gloria Pekelsma; and her brother-in-law, Al Kubitz.
At her 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 4 in Palm Springs and another one is set for May 9, the day before Mother’s Day, in Oak Park.
For more information, please visit www.celebratingpatty.com.