Aljalane Patricia Scott Obituary (1944

A. Patricia Scott, “Pat”, 81, of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, passed away June 20, 2026. Aljalane Patricia Scott was born to parents who met at boarding school in South Carolina. The young couple moved to New York City prior to WWII then to Chicago, where they raised their only daughter in Roseland. The family-owned several businesses including corner stores on the city’s south and west sides and also held several taxi medallions. Pat graduated from University High School, a division of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Pat earned her Bachelor of Fine Art from Boston University, where she played harp in a professional symphony orchestra. She later earned her Master’s and Ph.D. from Columbia University in Classical Archeology and taught Fine Art at the University of Pennsylvania, participating in archeological digs in the Middle East. Pat returned to Chicago in 1979 after the death of her father to help her mother consolidate and sell off his businesses. She served as president of Bryant & Stratton College (a for-profit secretarial school). In the early 2000’s she assumed the role of Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Secretary of State and worked until her passing. Pat was involved in national and state politics, serving as speech writer for John Stroger and was the God-daughter of Alderman Claude Holman, who was President of the City Council under Richard J. Daley. She was also a dedicated member of the 8th Ward Regular Democratic Organization. A collector of fine art, jewelry, and clothing, Pat also loved to discover, patronize, and promote new and interesting artists. She never stopped moving and working, as nobody likes to be bored. Pat lived in the house in which she grew up until 2019, when she moved to Hyde Park. In 2009 Pat married her longtime friend James Hemmings to provide health insurance while he battled cancer. The marriage lasted 83 days until Mr. Hemming’s passing. Her second marriage, to a man with whom she’d been friends for 60 years, was a small private wedding, held on the very first day of the COVID lockdown at Unity Church in Evanston. The happy union lasted… forever. Daughter of the late Aljounal and Annie Mae “Anna” Scott (nee Martin). Pat will be deeply missed by her adoring husband of six years, Charles “Charlie” Harrison Eldredge of Richmond, IL; his son Charles “Chip” H. Eldredge, III and seven grandchildren. Faithful companion of Tulip the Great Dane and Fido the cat, both of whom have excellent new homes. Pat chose to donate her body to science through the Anatomical Gift Association. At her request, there will be no public service. Donations may be made in Pat’s name to Pigment International, in celebration of the global impact of Black fine arts and artists: https://www.pigmentintl.com/. Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-318-1305 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.