WORCESTER- Patricia I. (Fair) Karockai, a lifelong resident of Worcester, died peacefully at home surrounded by her adoring family on Sunday, December 20, 2015 after a long illness.

Patricia leaves her husband of 55 years, Jozsef Karockai of Worcester (formerly of Hungary); three children, Deborah Siplas and her husband, Gerald, Joseph W. Karockai, and Robert J. Karockai, all of Worcester.
She is predeceased by her parents, Dorothy (Raymond) Fair of Worcester and William Fair of Brooklyn, N.Y. She recently lost two beloved sisters, Sharon Greenfield and Judith Ritter, both of Worcester. Additionally, she is predeceased by two brothers, Kenneth Fair of Connecticut and Wayne Fair of Worcester, both veterans. She leaves a sole surviving sister, Geraldine Ewing-Chow and her husband, Joseph, who live in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Patricia also leaves a number of nieces and nephews. In addition, she leaves her sister-in-law Joan Nunnaly of Maine as well as close friend Donna Trinda of Oxford. Most importantly, however, she leaves her two grandchildren, Andrew and Kathleen Siplas of Worcester and New Bedford (respectively), the absolute joy of her life.

Pat was born the second oldest of a large, close-knit family. As such, she had to leave school early to help support the younger children. This experience showed her the value of education; a lesson never lost and passed on to her children and grandchildren.
She worked throughout her life, gravitating towards those professions that directly helped the infirmed. Her first job was working with the mentally ill at Worcester State Hospital, her last as kitchen supervisor at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, from which she retired in 2010. Throughout her life, she instilled the importance of kindness, decency, and selflessness among her children and grandchildren. She never once failed to demonstrate to her family unconditional and unrestrained love.

At her request, there will be no calling hours. The family plans to have a small ceremony to honor her life sometime in the fall.