Patricia I. Jones

Patricia Irene Jones of Macomb, Illinois was born on June 12, 1948, in Monmouth, Illinois and passed from this life on February 11, 2025, at the age of 76. She was the first child and only daughter of Willard (W.) Dale Jones and Dorothy Ruth (Ritter) Jones.

She was raised in the Abingdon area, but attended school in Abingdon, Knoxville, and Avon. She graduated from Abingdon High School in 1966 and received a bachelor’s in education with a major in English and a minor in Spanish from Western Illinois University in 1970. After teaching English and Spanish in secondary school for 10 years in Yates City and Pinckneyville, Illinois, she returned to Western to pursue a master’s degree in college student personnel. At that point, she encountered the passion of her life through her graduate assistantship in the English as a second language program and continued working in international education over the next 45 years. She received her master’s degree in 1981.

Patti worked as an “English as a second language” instructor, international student advisor and director, and university academic advisor at Western Illinois University until her first retirement in 2008. In 2010, she was requested to return to the university as the interim director of the WESL (Western’s English as a Second Language) program and held that position for the following 13 months, retiring a second time in 2011.

Her dedication to international education included volunteer leadership in the professional organization, NAFSA Association of International Educators. During her many years of involvement, she served three terms as the regional chair, the chair of the National Membership Committee, chair of the National Leadership Development Committee, and chair of the Training Coordination Subcommittee. However, her greatest pride was that she served as the project development chair of the NAFSA Academy during the three years of its inception and followed that later as a coach for region v for two years, and the National Chair of the Academy for the 12th Academy Cohort. As a result of her long-time service to international education, an award is given in Region V of NAFSA in her name to an individual who serves extensively. In addition, she received the Homer Higbee National Award for Service to NAFSA, and at the time of her retirement she was named a life member of the organization.

Patti married Djafar (Jeff) Zadeh in December, 1985 and they divorced in 1996. She is survived by her son, Mehdi G. Zadeh, granddaughter, Laila Avery Zadeh; brother, Reverend David (Linda) Jones; three nieces, a nephew, and several great nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by two sisters of the spirit by other mothers, Coral (Strand) Seitz, and Peggy (Hale) Marks, lifelong friends. Her partner in crime in many international adventures was James Brosam, II, with whom she worked for the last 12 years of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Donald D. Jones, and a great niece.

Patti was a member of the First Christian Church of Macomb, serving as deacon, elder, trustee, and board chair. She also served from 2008 till 2025 on the WIU State University Annuitants board in a variety of capacities. She was a member of the Life (Learning Is Forever) committee, as well as a founding member of Phi Beta Delta on WIU’s campus. She also served as the mayoral appointee on the Macomb fire department pension board. She firmly advocated “wearing out rather than rusting out”.

Visitation for Patti will be held from 5-7 pm Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the First Christian Church in Macomb, Illinois. A Funeral Service will be held 11 am Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at the First Christian Church. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Macomb, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, or the Mary and Francis Davern International Scholarship at Western Illinois University. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com

Services
Visitation
Tuesday
February 18, 2025
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
First Christ Church, Macomb
120 N. McArthur St.
Macomb, IL 61455

Funeral Service
Wednesday
February 19, 2025
11:00 AM
First Christ Church, Macomb
120 N. McArthur St.
Macomb, IL 61455

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