District 88 remembers special education teacher

It is with great sadness District 88 shares the news that Patty Kraegel, special education teacher and IEP coordinator, has passed away.

Patty, 52, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer about four years ago, but was then cancer free for two years. In July 2014, she was informed the cancer had become active again and metastasized to her bones. She passed away on Feb. 14 with her family by her side.

Patty was with District 88 for nearly 30 years, starting her career with the district in August 1986. She served as a special education teacher and an IEP coordinator at Willowbrook and the District 88 Office. Patty's sister, Pamela Rattner, said it’s no surprise Patty devoted her life to special education. They have two brothers with intellectual disabilities, and Patty was dedicated to taking care of them.

“When you think of Patty, the three words that come to mind are loving, generous and caring,” Rattner said. “She was an advocate for children and teachers and was truly an inspiration.”

Willowbrook Special Education Department Chair Sara Courington recalls with fondness Patty's nurturing ways.

“I am not sure how it began – I only know that she could tell,” Courington said. “I was a first-year teacher, and I was spending every minute planning, grading and teaching. Like many new to the field, I was overwhelmed. She was not assigned to mentor me, but she caught me in the hall one day and offered to meet with me before school. So began a series of before-dawn sessions that formed the foundation of my teaching practice. (Throughout my career) I continued to count on Patty in new ways, as her character was always impeccable. No matter the situation, I knew I could talk through it with her, and together we would make a decision that was in the best interest of our students and families. For Patty, excellence was always the standard. Many will call her an advocate; I am fortunate to call her my example. May her spirit live on in all of us who were lucky enough to have known her.”

Brett Blair, Willowbrook English Department Chair, had a similar bond with Patty.

“Patty was an amazing teacher, leader and advocate,” Blair said. “There is no question Patty left her mark on Willowbrook and District 88. We are a better school and district today due to the life and career of Patty Kraegel.”

Patty also was devoted to her husband of 20 years, Scott, and her son, Dominic, 17.

“They are the loves of her life,” Rattner said. “And everyone loved her. I haven’t met anyone who has a negative word to say about Patty. She was the type of person who was friends with everybody. She was even still in touch with the nurses who took care of her son when he was born – that was just her personality.”

Bobbi Anderson, a former special education teacher at Willowbrook, knew Patti and her family well.

“I had the pleasure and privilege of mentoring Patty when she began teaching at Willowbrook 30 years ago,” Anderson said. “From those innocuous beginnings grew a deep, close friendship with not just Patty, but her whole family. We vacationed together; I was there for her early days with and eventual engagement and marriage to Scott, the birth of Dominic and the trials and joys of his upbringing. I watched her mature into a superlative teacher, and I learned from her organization and attention to detail. She had a number of positions in District 88 and filled them all with grace and expertise. Patty’s first concern was always for the other person, be it child or adult. She was an amazing human being, and I will miss her as long as I live.”

When Patty found out her cancer had returned, she founded Patty’s Pals Foundation Ltd. to raise funds to help those dealing with cancer, as well as other organizations that aid in research for cancer prevention, services and cures. Patty's family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to Patty’s Pals Foundation Ltd. Memorials can be sent to Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, 950 S. Bartlett Road Bartlett, IL 60103. For more information about the foundation, go to www.pattyspals.net.

Patty will always be part of the District 88 family. The staff and students of District 88 benefited greatly from her expertise for the last three decades, and her legacy will live on in those she guided and served. To view Patty's obituary, go to http://tinyurl.com/jyy42yp.