Obituary of Linda "Linny" Deiss
Linda “Linny” Deiss, 78, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026 at StoryPoint Memory Care, Romeoville, after a lengthy and brave battle with Alzheimer’s. Born October 14,1947 in Joliet, IL to Paul and Georgia (Perry) Deiss. She grew up in Joliet, attending St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School before graduating from Saint Francis Academy in 1965. She earned her bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, in Mathematics and Physics from the College of St. Francis in 1969. She continued her education at the University of Illinois, earning her master’s degree in mathematics in 1970, and later completed her MBA at Lewis University in 1982.
Linda's intellect and determination shaped a distinguished career in the insurance industry. After joining Illinois R.B. Jones in Chicago in 1970, she rose to Assistant Vice President and became the first American woman to work a box for Lloyd's of London, a landmark achievement in a traditionally male-dominated profession. She remained with the company until 1992 before concluding her career with Avreco, Inc., retiring in 2020.
While Linda was proud of her professional accomplishments, she found her greatest fulfillment in living her faith through service to others. A devoted steward of St. Paul the Apostle Church and the Joliet community, she generously shared her time and talents as a member of the St. Paul the Apostle Parish Council, the Guardian Angel Home Board of Directors, and the Groundwork Advisory Board; through R.C.I.A.; on countless parish committees; as a Eucharistic Minister; and with the St. Joseph Medical Center Women's Auxiliary. In recognition of her extraordinary dedication, she was named St. Paul the Apostle Woman of the Year in 1994.
Second only to her faith was her love of family. Her nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces filled her life with joy. She delighted in traveling far and wide to celebrate their milestones and was happiest simply being present for the people she loved. She was an honorary aunt to many, welcoming others into her family regardless of how they came into hers. She never said goodbye without a: “Thank you for these few brief moments.” A devoted fan of Notre Dame and the Chicago Cubs, she proudly wore their colors and cheered them on through every season.
Linny is survived by her sister, Virginia Jones; nephews, Scott (Treva) Jones, and
Todd (Jen) Jones; nieces, Holly (Tony) Scordo, and Heidi (Brad) Buza; great
nieces and nephews, Andrew (Molly) Scordo, Ethan (Cassie Gitkin) Jones, Technical Sergeant Paul Jones, USAF (Staff Sergeant Jennifer Jones, USAF), Jack Scordo, Nick Jones (Emma Kurtz), Samantha Scordo, Max Buza, Mateo Jones, Georgia Buza, Caylee (Julian) Blish, Camryn (Cylas) Krieger, Chloe (Edwin Infante) Turner, and Mckenna Cook; and great-great nieces and nephews Maeve and Charlie Blish, Maeve Scordo, Ezra and Ezekiel Infante, and Iris Kreiger. Linny is also survived by numerous cousins whom she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother-in-law, Ronald Jones.
Her family extends their profound gratitude to her caregivers Makayla Arvin, the nurses and care staff of StoryPoint Memory Care and Dover Hospice.
Visitation for Linda Deiss will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of prayers at 10:45 a.m. Procession will follow to Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus where a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear CUBS clothes and colors.
Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association or to your charity of choice would be appreciated.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial
Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory
or leave an online condolence.
