Patricia M. `Pat` Cabaj

Patricia “Pat” Cabaj, age 88, of Baraboo, passed away suddenly on December 30, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, surrounded by her loving family. 

Pat was born the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Comparetto on December 23, 1935, in Chicago, IL. She spent her childhood growing up in the city and graduated from Austin High School in 1953. She and her future husband, John Cabaj, grew up living only a block apart from one another, she on Lorel Avenue, he on Long Avenue, and they were united in marriage on January 28, 1956. They would have celebrated 68 years together this month. Together they had two children, John Jr. and Jim. She worked at Bell Telephone Company in Chicago and as a tax preparer at H&R Block early in her life, but soon stayed home to raise her family. They spent the first part of their life in Franklin Park, IL, and then built a house in Baraboo in 1976 where they have lived ever since.

She was a wonderful wife - the “eyes” for her husband, John, as he has suffered with degenerative blindness for the majority of his life. They spent all of their time together and were a great pair taking care of one another. She enjoyed watching and feeding the birds in their backyard, reading, watching old movies and baseball, and, most of all, spending time with her family that she loved so much. She was the most caring mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, making memories and traditions with her sons, her four grandchildren, and her 11 great-grandchildren throughout the years. She loved with her whole being and spoiled everyone with treats, sneaking candy to her great-grandkids and other visitors. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baraboo and her faith has always been important to her.

Pat is survived by her husband; her sons, John Jr. (Jody) Cabaj and Jim (Josey) Cabaj; her grandchildren, Nicki Cabaj Green (Brenden Fenske), Ryan (Alex) Cabaj, Molly (Curtis) Ryan, and John (Missy) Cabaj; and her great-grandchildren, Rylee and Evan Green, Tessa, Posey, Fern and Ida Cabaj, Miles and Owen Ryan, and Lucy, Joanna and Juliet Cabaj. Her family is greatly saddened by their loss and will miss her so much. They feel blessed to have had her in their lives for as long as they did.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Philip Comparetto.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baraboo on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11 a.m. A visitation will be held the same day at 10 a.m. until the time of the services.  Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Baraboo. The service will be streamed on St. Joseph Catholic Church’s Facebook page please use: Baraboo Catholic – St. Joseph Catholic Parish.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Foundation Fighting Blindness or St. Joseph Catholic Church.

The family would like to thank their friends at Meals on Wheels, the care team at St. Clare Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Joseph Catholic Church, and the Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home that is assisting the family.