Deborah Pavlick

Deborah Marie Pavlick nee: Moloney passed away February 13th 2024. Deborah was a longtime resident of Lake Forest, IL and a recent resident of Antioch, IL and Naples, FL. Deborah was born in Chicago, IL in 1954 to Raymond and Catherine Moloney. At the age of 9 she lost her father to a plane accident but remained very close to her mother Catherine until her passing in 2017.

Deborah loved life and lived to its fullest, often conveying positive memories of her childhood growing up in Lake Forest, IL with her 4 siblings. She completed high school at the Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, and then obtained her Batchelor’s in Accounting at St. Mary’s of Notre Dame. Many Notre Dame stories were shared, but none that could be printed...

Deborah was intelligent, hardworking, and relentlessly persistent. She was very proud of her professional accomplishments, particularly her role at Culligan International where she was promoted as the first female Manager in the history of the corporation, as well as her role at a startup newspaper, USA Today, as Regional Controller. Deb worked hard, but always enjoyed levity in the workplace, consistently recalling pranks she was the subject of, but more often describing the pranks she devised. Deborah was afraid of nothing and would try anything (except mustard). Entrepreneurship was an outlet for her, and she began many ventures of varying success, including teaching real estate classes, organic dog treats, wine distribution, lunch delivery services (way before door dash), and Distinctive Designs her custom crafting business which absorbed many weekends throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

She met her late husband Thomas E. Pavlick while working together in the Accounting department at Culligan. They were both competitive people, and their relationship often involved lighthearted competition and teasing. Together they built home and family in Lake Forest, IL where they raised 4 children, and many pets and dogs. When Tom was debilitated with a severe stroke in 2014, she never left his side, spending 6 months in his various hospital rooms in Arizona until he was able to be transported by plane. She remained his primary caretaker until his passing in 2019. The extra time he spent with us is credited to her caretaking efforts. She formed an instant connection with every animal or child she contacted, lizards to Labradors. Her dogs were a part of her, particularly Brandy, Tara, Shamrock and Brady.

Motherhood was her life passion. She raised her 4 children with every bit of her soul. She was a teacher, protector, therapist, and coach. There was no problem or issue her children would face alone, she was always approachable and always listened and provided the right amount of advice. You were always in a better place then when you hung up than when you called. She made sure her children were afforded every opportunity and wanted for nothing. She raised 4 children with different hobbies and life paths, she made sure she was involved with all of them: learning about cars and computers, military and Muay Thai, motorcycles and dirt bikes, sports and medicine. If it was important to you, it was important to her. She never turned her back on anyone in need, and acted like a mother for multiple other children who needed a mom and home, when they were without. Her house was constantly filled with children and laughter. Her given nickname (and license plate) MammaP, was well earned.

Her recent years were filled with grandchildren and traveling. She found every excuse to get on a plane, especially if the travel was with her sisters and friends, or to see family. She was particularly interested in any warm destination or beach. Her grandchildren adored her and spoke of her frequently (the ones that talk).

Deborah will always be remembered for her caring and selfless approach and the way that they she loved life; regardless of what life had in store. We couldn’t have asked for a better mother, grandma, friend, or sister and will miss Deb every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts and stories of the uncountable people she touched. Her grandchildren were lucky enough to know her well, and she will be immortalized through our memories and the stories we now pass to the next generation. Goodbye Mamma P.

Deborah was preceded in death by her father Raymond T. Moloney II, her mother Catherine Moloney, her brother Raymond T. Moloney III, and her husband Thomas E. Pavlick. She is survived by her brother James Moloney, her sisters Catherine (Bob) Gehrlich, Sharon (Chuck) Herlihy, her children Gavin (Leah) Pavlick, Stephan (Catherine) Pavlick, Warren (Erica) Pavlick and Caitlin Pavlick, and her grand children Parker, Josephine, Reagan, Logan and Evander.

The wake is Sunday, February 18th from 4-9 pm and on Monday, February 19th from 8:30-9:30 am at the Seguin & Symonds Funeral Home, 858 Sheridan Road, Highwood to Saint Patrick Church (Main Church), 950 W. Everett Rd, Lake Forest. Msgr. Robert J. Dempsey, celebrant. Entombment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Mausoleum Main Chapel, 700 River Rd., Des Plaines, IL.

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