Patricia Marie Noeth Gonwa, 89, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and formerly of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 6:54 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at her home. She was born November 10, 1934, in Granite City, a daughter of the late Christ and Anne (Sekora) Noeth. Patricia retired in 2005 from the Granite City School District after 48 years of dedicated service as a teacher, school counselor and principal. She achieved her PHD degree in Education Administration prior to becoming principal at Maryville Elementary School in Granite City. She worked as a School Counselor at L’Overture Junior High School in St. Louis, Missouri for an additional 10 years, and then permanently retired.
Patricia was an active member of Palm Beach Gardens Women’s Club, a service club that fundraises to provide a college scholarship every year to a deserving recent high school graduate. She made many close friends that she cherished.
She also felt very fortunate for the past 18 years to have both of her children living in Florida very close to her and was always very involved in their lives. Her daughter Diane lived with her for the past 18 years
She enjoyed having flowers bloom all year long in Florida in her front and backyards, so gardening was a fond activity. Blooming flowers made her happy days even happier, with her sunny disposition.
She is survived by a daughter, Diane Riddle of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and 2 sons: Beau Riddle of Hesperus, Colorado and his daughter MacKenzie; Scott Riddle and his wife Dr. Maria Gamboa of San Diego, California. Patricia’s son, Dr. Mark Gonwa and wife Brandi Gonwa of Jupiter, Colorado, and Mark has 3 children: Jonathan Gonwa and fiancé Stephanie of Grafton, Wisconsin; Mary Haywiser and husband Cory of Zelienople, Pennsylvania and their sons Hudson and Lucas; Jenny Cronin and husband Adam of Arden, North Carolina and their son Nolan. Her former husband and friend, Edward Gonwa and wife Judith of Green Oaks, Illinois. Patricia’s sister, Dorothy Scheibal of Godfrey, Illinois; and Sister-in Law Mildred Noeth of Granite City, Illinois; and her many nieces and nephews and their children, as Patricia was the youngest of 8 siblings.
Preceded in death are sister Rita Jones, and brothers Fred Noeth, Tom Noeth, Ted Noeth, Pete Noeth and Jim Noeth.
In celebration of her life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2300 Pontoon Road in Granite City at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2024, with Father Alfred Tumwesigye as celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Edwardsville. Luncheon to follow at the Harmony Room at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.
Memorial flowers may be sent on July 11 to: Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road, Granite City, IL 62040 from any florist one day prior to visitation. www.irwinchapel.com
