Patricia Ann (Mays) Diedrich was born on January 27, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, to Mary and William (Willie) Mays. Being that she was the eldest of six children, she grew up in a lively household alongside her two sisters and three brothers.

Her early years were marked by frequent moves, bringing her to places such as Denver, Colorado, and Kokomo, Indiana, before her family eventually settled in McHenry, Illinois. It was there in McHenry that a beautiful new chapter began when she met the love of her life, LeRoy (Roy) Diedrich. Together, they became a familiar and welcoming presence in their community as they ran the local Pool Hall and Diner, "Rudy's Place."

After eventually selling the Diner, the family moved to "the House on Blackhawk." Their journey shifted as Roy established his own plumbing business, and Patricia devoted herself to being a homemaker, creating a warm and loving foundation. Her greatest joy was found in raising their two sons, Troy and Randy. Her natural gift for caring for others also drew her back out into the community, where she took on the role of running the kitchen at McHenry Junior High, ensuring countless students were well-fed and looked after each day.

Those years on Blackhawk were full of love, laughter, and legendary family lore—like the unforgettable time the wheel quite literally came off her Pontiac Grand Prix and flew right into the yard of a nearby property. In a beautiful twist of fate, around 1986, the family would go on to move into that exact property, putting down deeper roots in what affectionately became known as "the House on River Road." True to Patricia's welcoming spirit, that home quickly became the heart of the family, serving as the beautiful backdrop for countless gatherings, celebrations, and joyful days spent together around the swimming pool.

Later in life, Patricia discovered a joy for travel, with a special fondness for visiting lighthouses. She loved exploring them in person and was known to bring a little piece of those adventures home with her, gathering a wonderful collection of lighthouse treasures from the gift shops along the way. Closer to home, she was a fiercely loyal fan of her local sports teams, always ready to cheer on the Chicago Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls. She was also an avid card and tile player, and many a night was spent playing Poker, Canasta, Rummikub, or Dominoes, sharing laughter around the table with dear friends "Junky" John and Sandi, Wally and Marlene, and family friend Josie. For the last years of her life, she moved to Sandwich, Illinois, a decision born of love so she could be closer to her sons, spending her final days exactly where she wanted to be: near her family.

She is survived by her sons, Troy and Randy; her daughter-in-law, Shannon; her beloved granddaughter, Brynn; her step-grandchildren, Steven and Sara, along with her many step-great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Sue and Judy; and her sister, Mary. She also leaves behind a loving host of nieces and nephews: Tony, Tracy, David, Jackie, Jimmy, Jason, Chris, Brandy, Aaron, Lauren, Ashley, and Channon; her nieces and nephews on Roy's side: Tommy, Dale, and Lisa; as well as her step-niece, Debbie. She will also be deeply missed by the family pets, Willie and Vince, who loved her completely—even if Vince was known to bark at her a time or two.

She was preceded in rest by her husband, Roy; her parents; her parents-in-law, Lydia and Arthur (Art); her sister Shelia; her brothers Terry, Lonnie (Duane), and Jim; and her brother-in-law, Donald.

Patricia Diedrich

January 27, 1943 - May 23, 2026

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