Patty "PJ" O'Reilly-Kamin

Patty Jeanne “PJ” O’Reilly-Kamin. She was better known as “PJ” by her friends and relatives. Born May 12, 1944, in Janesville, WI, to Robert Edward and Frances Marie (Healy) Hamm. Baptized as Patricia Jeanne Hamm, she later had her name changed legally to Patty Jeanne O’Reilly, O’Reilly being her paternal great-grandfather’s name. The family moved to Rockford, IL when PJ was 3 years old, at which time she also met her father for the first time who had been away fighting in World War II and Korea. She was the second of six children, 3 sisters and 2 brothers: Kathleen Marie (Einar) Anderson (both deceased) of Loves Park, IL; Marilyn Katherine (Burleigh) Netszky of Chicago, IL; Nancy Susan (Gary) Ryall of Roscoe, IL; David William (Noreen) Hamm (David is deceased) of Green Bay, WI; and Robert Michael (Christine Dover) Hamm of Portland, OR. After graduating from Bishop Muldoon High School in Rockford, IL in June of 1962, she married Jesse Elmo Daughtry, Jr. in September of the same year, in Rockford, IL. Upon divorcing Jesse, she married Bruce Donald Forsberg who preceded her in death in 1986. PJ was blest with 5 beautiful and devoted children: Kevin Michael (Georgene) Daughtry, South Beloit, IL; Reverend Jay Shannon (Tammy) Daughtry of Nashville, TN; David Andrew Daughtry of Machesney Park, IL; Dana Janene (Ronald) Carlson of Kingsford, MI; and Sean Charles Kamin of Kingsford, MI. A very special thank you to Dave, Dana, Dylan and Brett who watched over her night and day. She had 13 grandchildren: Joshua Daughtry of South Beloit, IL; Amanda, Jenna, Jaron and Angelia Bennett of Nashville, TN; Hailey, Daniel, and Travis Daughtry of Machesney Park, IL; Sean Charles Kamin, Jr. and twins, Levi Erik and Madison Michelle Kamin of Kingsford, MI; and Dylan Patrick and Brett Robert Carlson of Kingsford, MI. She was recently blessed with a precious great-grandchild, Shelby Marlowe Scott III (“Tre”) of Nashville, TN. In July, 2000, she married Dale Edwin Kamin, the light of her life. She often said, “the only husband I ever had.” They loved each other very much. They married in St. Ignace, MI, and she welcomed Dale’s son, Sean Charles Kamin, Sr. into her heart and into her home. PJ led an exciting and very interesting life, to say the least! She cherished life and lived it to the fullest! She held a wide variety of jobs throughout her lifetime; however, music was her all-time favorite. She came from a very musical family. At age 9, she sang with her Dad’s dixieland band, also playing guitar, piano, violin, saxophone and trumpet, while writing numberous songs. She sang for the dinner cruises aboard the Forest City Queen riverboat in Rockford, IL, for many years, wrote a bi-weekly gossip column, known as "Grinnen Barrett", for the Eastsound, WA newspaper in the San Juan Islands, Orcas Island, WA, performed as a disc jockey doing 2 shows daily at WRYI-FM in Rockford, IL, was the advertising manager for 2 newspapers, doing free-hand art in Retail Ads, was a Certified Health Unit Coordinator in 4 hospitals, including 9 years at Dickinson Memorial Hospital, a licensed cosmetologist, executive secretary for 3 CPAs, a model for a bridal magazine, manager of a grocery store, an autopsy assistant, owned and operated 3 businesses and sang at the Palamino Lounge in North Hollywood, CA, to name a few of her “adventures” in life! She literally “ran into" John Wayne in Flagstaff, AZ, but didn’t have the nerve to ask him for his autograph! Her dream finally came true when she recorded in Nashville, TN, and made it to number 14 on the charts with her debut song! When all is said and done, her greatest love of all was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She felt truly blessed. She loved deeply and was deeply grateful to her wonderful husband, Dale, who was there for her through thick and thin, good or bad…and Dana, Ron, Dylan, Brett and Dave. Dana, you were always there - my shining star, my safe place. PJ was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Frances Hamm; sister, Kathleen; brother, David; daughter-in-law, Diane Daughtry; nieces, Carly Hamm, twins Mary and Kathleen Anderson and her niece Melissa’s babies. PJ sadly leaves many nieces, nephews and friends. God bless Bonnie Surprise, Darlene and Diane Hanna and Dr. Ellen VanLaanen, D.O. It’s been a hell of a trip! I’ve loved every minute of it! Thank you for being a part of my adventure on earth. I love and bless you all. A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, September 26th, from 4:00p.m.- 6:00p.m. at Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain. A service will follow at 6:00p.m. at the funeral home. Nancy Ryall will officiate. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Patty O’Reilly-Kamin online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral home with the funeral arrangements.

Patty "PJ" O'Reilly-Kamin

May 12, 1944 - September 20, 2015