Patricia Maack Ormsbee

Our sweet and loving mother, Patricia (Pat) Smart Maack Ormsbee 96, passed away peacefully in the loving company of her family on July 2, 2025. Pat was born Feb. 3, 1929 in Hinsdale, Illinois, the daughter of Chauncey Smart and Florence Fleck Smart. She grew up in the family home in Downers Grove Township where the Smart family had homesteaded since the 1830’s. Besides her parents and brother, the household included her grandmother Smart and beloved Smart aunts Cora, Grace, Ada, and Nelle. Her aunts were teachers at one room schoolhouses that Pat attended until high school. Her aunts had a significant impact on Pat’s life, leading her to continue the family tradition of teaching.

Pat attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. It was there that Pat “the country girl” met Kenneth Ballentine Maack “the city boy” from Chicago. Pat graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1951 and she and Ken married that summer. They started their married life in the Chicago area where Pat taught elementary school. Shortly they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where their three children were born, then moving to Brookfield, Wisconsin to raise their family. After her youngest finished grade school, Pat returned to teaching, finding that second graders were her favorite. Ken’s success at work resulted in a number of international award trips they enjoyed together, as well as numerous family vacations. Pat and Ken lived in Brookfield for over 30 years. They were active members of Brookfield United Church of Christ.

In 1993, they retired to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas where they were drawn to a retirement community with year-round golfing. Unfortunately, Ken died in 1994, early into his retirement. Pat continued living in Hot Springs Village for another 30 years. She held leadership roles in AAUW, PEO and was a member of Kirk in the Pines Presbyterian Church. She met and was married to Elliot Ormsbee until his death in 2010. Later, she developed a caring friendship with Horace Shankwiler until his death in 2018. Pat supported many causes dear to her heart, most importantly the opportunity for education, particularly for women. She created and endowed numerous scholarship funds through AAUW, her church and local high schools in Arkansas.

In 2022 at the age of 93, Pat moved to be near her daughter in Boise, Idaho. She enjoyed three years of active assisted living at Meadow Lake Village, participating in nearly all outings and activities. For all that knew Pat, she’ll be remembered as kind, humorous, social and joyful.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Lewis Dickinson, husbands Kenneth Ballantine Maack and Elliot Ormsbee, brother William Smart, nephew William Smart IV and niece Lisa Smart. She will be sadly missed by her children; Share Maack (Eric Schulman) of Boise, ID., Karen Maack (Pete Dixon) of South Lake Tahoe, CA., Steve (Kathy) Maack, of Kokomo, IN., grandchildren; Rebecca (Cody) Shuler, Markus Maack, Casey (Anna) Dixon and Sam Dixon and great grandchildren; Chance, Jett and Quinton Shuler and Sawyer MacEwen.

A memorial service will be held at Meadow Lake Village, 650 S. Arbor Lane, Meridian on Friday July 11, 2025 at 2pm. The family will gather at a later date for a graveside burial at the family pioneer graveyard, Cass Cemetery in Darien, Ill. Memorials to honor Pat’s legacy can be made to Planned Parenthood or any scholarship fund of your choice. Funeral arrangements by Bowman Funeral Home, Boise, ID.