A Galesburg woman is being remembered for her decades of advocating for the Pro-Life movement and also pioneering the creation a local popular children’s preschool program.
Patricia “Pat” Conklin died Sunday, Aug. 11 in Galesburg. She was 81.
Upon arriving in Galesburg in 1997 with her husband Richard, she initially taught preschool part-time at Grace Episcopal. Subsequently, Conklin — along with Penny Bjorkman — started the Costa Preschool program, which she directed for 27 years. The school had 100, aged 3 and 4 year old students each year, making it the largest preschool in the Peoria Diocese, and allowing her to impact thousands of lives.
Obituary: Patricia M. Conklin ~ December 30, 1942 – August 11, 2024
In addition to her passion for teaching, Conklin was devoted to Pro-Life activism, beginning in 1973 with the Roe v. Wade decision. With every move her family made, she started or joined the local Pro-Life group. In the early 1980’s, she co-founded Knox County Right to Life, which remains active.
She is survived by her brother, James (Mary Beth) Kremer; her husband Richard; their two children, Kathy (Ruediger Thul) Conklin and Julie (Homer) Apor; two grandchildren, Levi Conklin-Thul and Gabi Apor; as well as 11 foster children over 20 years.
Visitation for Pat Conklin will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, August 23 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory. Rosary will be prayed following the visitation at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Galesburg.
