Patricia “First Lady” Bitakis went to be with the Lord on Tuesday. 
Patricia C. Bitakis was born on January 14, 1947 at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois. She is the daughter of Rev. Clare Gleason and Janet Gleason. She is the oldest of 14. Pat (Patti) lived in various towns in Michigan, living mostly in Killmaster, Michigan, a farming community.
Her father pastored several churches in Michigan and his wife was a vital part of their ministry. So, Pat (Patti) was raised in a Christian home. She accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of 5 and fully dedicated her life to the Lord at 12 years old.
After graduating from high school in Michigan, she moved to the Chicago area and later moved close to Moody Bible Institute. She worked at a Christian organization and took night courses at Moody Bible Institute because she had a hunger to study God‘s Word. Pat (Patti) lived a dedicated, godly life, a faithful servant of the Lord.
Later, she did volunteer work at Pacific Garden Mission, and this is where she met Nick. They were married June 29, 1968, enjoying over 56 years of marriage. They had two sons, James and John. Pat (Patti) was a co-partner in the pastoral ministry of Pastor Nick – ministering, teaching, singing, and playing the piano and organ, and together served the Lord in ministry for over 51 years. Together, they ministered for 35 years at New Life. She was a godly, caring, loving, kind, compassionate Christian full of wisdom. She loved Nick very much, loved her family, and especially her grandchildren. She was a loving woman. She loved the Lord Jesus and went to be with Him on December 3, 2024.
She is survived by her husband, Nick, 2 sons, James (Faye) and John (Jennifer), and 4 grandchildren, Reveé, Amber (Wilson), Calvin, and Kayla; 6 siblings: Rick (Pat), Bill (Carole), Carol, David (Edith-deceased), Philip (Shannon), Lydia (Lew-deceased). 
She was preceded in death by siblings Kathy, Paul, Victor, Dan, Ruth, John, and Matthew.

Service is December 10th.
9:00-11:00 – Visitation
11:00-12:00 – Testimonies
12:00-1:00 – Service
At New Life Christian Fellowship
6235 North Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302

COME EXPERIENCE GOD’S SUPERNATURAL PRESENCE IN OUR MIDST! Sunday morning service begins at 10:30am, and Wednesday evening service begins at 7:00pm.

We want to welcome you to our website and hope you get a clear picture of our church. As you browse through our site, you will see that our main focus in all our church life is “loving God, and loving people.” We are a multicultural church worshiping one Lord. The people who come to our church come from various backgrounds, and from all over the Chicago area. Our unity is in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Visitors who have come to our church, comment on the friendliness of our people. We hope that you will feel the same way when you visit. Our prayer is that you will not only feel welcome when you come, but that you will receive from the Lord Jesus and be touched by His powerful grace. May the Lord richly bless you.