VALE Patricia Croke—an extraordinary woman, one who will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, friend, and entrepreneur.
While many locals will associate the name with Sydney Street’s long standing furniture store, Ms Croke’s legacy extended far and beyond into the town she once called home.
A former resident of Kilmore, Ms Croke had five sons that each attended Assumption College. Between the lads and their partners, Ms Croke also had eight grandchildren.
Ms Croke was a schoolteacher in the outer eastern suburbs before venturing into the world of retail and interior design with the ‘Pat Croke Furniture Store’ franchise.
The first store opened in Kilmore in 1986, before later, stores opened in Bendigo, Seymour, Wallan, and Heathcote. As time went on, these stores closed, leaving Kilmore as the flagship store.
Ms Croke had a community spirit that defied her busy lifestyle, and she regularly donated goods to local schools, kindergartens, and the hospital. Clubs and associations, including the Lions and The Elms’ annual Cancer Council fundraiser, were regular patrons of her generosity.
Pat Croke Furniture Store Manager Adam Thorpe fondly recalled the close eye his mentor kept on the beloved shop across the CCTV, after relocating to the Sunshine Coast in 2009, and her support for those experiencing financial pressure.
Ms Croke passed peacefully surrounded by family after a brief illness on the morning of Tuesday, March 18, aged 79.
