Patti Honeeeeeey,
You will be missed.. I will never forget you and all of the great stories you would share about this great city.. Whether it was helping you fill up Cartier at the Casey's, catching each other up on the goings on one another missed out on, or watching a great drag show at Club Basix honey.. Will miss ya blowing your horn at me in traffic.. You would always bring a smile to my face everytime we'd see one another.. Say hi to Dakota and Teddy for me.. John and you are now reunited at that dining table in the sky.. God bless ya HONEEEEEEY! Rest in peace.
Scott E. Alt
March 28, 2022
Our ever so modest, so aesthetically creative beloved mom and her best of style sister Auntie Ruth when she would come down from Minneapolis for Christmas, would frequently comment on seeing Mrs. Thacker downtown when retail was just jumping. Later on when mom would work one day a week at my sister in law’s store the Whippoorwill, mom would always comment on when Mrs. Thacker came in and visit and how smartly attired she always was.
I worked one ‘Christmas help’ at grand old Killian Company Department Store. I would always get a real charge out of seeing Mrs. Thacker ~ the glamorous epitome of a movie star ~ float through the store, and to catch her wit and wisecracks as she came through the men’s department. It was like the Brazilian Carlos Antonio Jobim’s song,
‘The Girl from Ipanema’ as she passed ~ always a head turner.
Through the years whenever I would run in to her, whether in public, church, events, the Czech and Slovak Museum, Sam’s Club, Younkers etc. ~ her greeting was always the same ~ arms flung out for a soft gentle embrace. Everytime, ALL the time. Never minding my perpetually disheveled, smudged, rarely matching appearance.
I have seen Mrs. Thacker be there for people in their heart crushing loss. Our brief conversations at times with her hands gently resting on my shoulders, she would give me her undivided attention with her beautiful blue eyes. We talked of many things. I told her that she looks like Dorothy Malone and she liked that. I said she was the class of the town. I said she looked like she should be in Bergdorf Goodman and she quipped ,“ I wish I wax in Bergdorf Goodman”. Mrs. Thacker said she had been friends with my sister in law for years and would always ask about Sarah Ellen and her English Bulldog Bruno. We visited about Los Angeles and her favorite hotel being the Chateau Marmont.
My being just a lowly doorman at UCLA’s Fine Arts Department, I would see scads of celebrities at UCLA’s theaters Wadsworth, Schoenberg and Royce Hall With neighboring Beverly Hills and bigger bucks still Bel Air across the street on Sunset, I kid you not, none of those celebrities at these galas could hold a candle to or look as smashing as Mrs. Thacker would.
Our conversation got pretty emotional once. She told me of her love for her John. I told her that our family would love her forever for her going to be with our wonderful Paula in that gut wrenching place Hospice House. Now what a test of character is that as most people shun that situation at all costs.
We concluded our conversation that time by both solidly agreeing that we will see our loved ones again. Mrs. Thacker replied “ A good Catholic girl like me knows these things”.
Timothy Wayne van Deest
March 24, 2022
Dearest Princess, I am so sorry that after we spoke in late February, that I didn't follow up with another phone call. You said 'you were perfect" as always ,when I asked how you were doing. You "loved me more" when we said good by. You wanted to know how "Macaroni" was and how the dogs were. You never said an unkind word about anyone and you loved the Chocolate cake from Sam's Club. I miss you sweetheart. RIP
Sharon Rosenberg
March 19, 2022
What a gentle force Patti truly was! As a child, I vividly remember the 'woman in white' in downtown Cedar Rapids. During my tenure at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, one of the absolute highlights was seeing Patti each Monday, where our discussions included the world, politics, arts and culture and so much more. And yes, she was FABULOUS!
Jim Miller
March 15, 2022
My deepest sympathy, she was a nice lady.
Linda Mc Namara Early
March 14, 2022
To Patti's family, I am so sorry for your loss. I grew up so to speak in the mall and we remember seeing Patti there dressed to the hill in her beautiful fancy clothes. One of my first jobs was at Von Maur and Patti came breezing thru the store. Met her again later in life from a very good friend and she was wonderful. She will be missed
Joanne M Pontius-Bauer
March 14, 2022
My sweet friend, I always tho't I would see you again.
Gail
March 12, 2022
We all feel saddened at the passing of a beautiful and gracious lady . May her soul find eternal rest and tranquility with the stars.??
Michael .M. Sims
March 12, 2022
You were a wonderful lady.
Cathy Showalter
March 11, 2022