In Memoriam: Patricia Greer
Patricia Taylor Greer, poet, author, and psychotherapist, passed away at her home in Wheaton, IL, on August 15, 2024 surrounded by her adoring husband Carl Greer and her three loving children.
Sophisticated, intellectual, loyal, and protective, Patricia was born in Queens, New York City, and grew up in Mt. Vernon, New York, and Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, before attending Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. A lifelong student and learner, Patricia also received a Master’s degree in English (Loyola University of Chicago), a Master’s in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy (California Family Study Center), a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology (Pacifica Graduate Institute), and a diploma in Analytical Psychology (C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago).
Patricia spent 20 years in Glen Ellyn, Illinois; Chatham, Ontario, Canada; and La Canada, California, nurturing and raising her children with her first husband, Bill Taylor. She also made lifelong friends in each city. In 1987, she settled in Wheaton, Illinois, where she opened her own psychotherapy practice and saw clients for more than 30 years.
A breast cancer survivor from the 1980s, Patricia is the author of the book “Breast Cancer: A Soul Journey,” published in 2014, “Soul Play: A Workbook to Inspire and Guide Your Soul Journey” published in 2017, and “Whispers of the Soul,” a collection of poetry published in 2021. In addition to being a teacher, psychotherapist and published author, Patricia was a lover of nature, a graceful skier and strong tennis player, an artist, a photographer and a traveler. A voracious reader of all forms of literature, she was never more content than with a good book in her hand. Patricia was also a very spiritual woman, and a faithful Catholic who will always be remembered as passing on the Feast of the Assumption.
Patricia and her beloved husband Carl Greer were high school sweethearts who later in life reconnected, fell in love, and created a beautiful partnership. Their life together was full of family, travel, philosophical discussions, and philanthropy. Together, Patricia and Carl created the Greer Foundation, a private family foundation that supports programs that focus on issues of social justice, poverty, the environment, physical and mental health, and indigenous spiritual and healing practices.
Most of all, Patricia will be remembered by those closest to her as someone who loved them completely, fiercely, and unconditionally. The deep, consistent, unwavering love her family members felt from her is the first, last and best gift she gave them, and one they will always carry with them.
Patricia is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 35 years, Carl Greer; children Michael Taylor (Leslie), Susan Lanciotti, and Jean Taylor (Michael Roberts); grandchildren Brianna, Sophia, Matilda, Adelaide, Crosby, and Gwendolyn; step children Caryn Riemer (Rudy), Michael Greer, and Janet Walsmith (Joe); step grandchildren Cole, Jack, Jonas, Lusha, Camilo, Ella, Maya and Sienna; and a sister, Susan Congalton (Chris).
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the Greer Foundation grantee organizations listed here: http://www.greercharities.com/slider/our-grantees/
This obituary was originally published in the Chicago Tribune.