Obituary of Mary Silk

Mary Lu Silk (nee Fitzgerald) Mary Lu Silk, a lifelong resident of Joliet, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home with her family at her side. Mary Lu was a graduate of St. Patrick Grade School and St. Francis Academy, and attended St. Theresa's College in Winona, MN. She worked as a buyer and salesperson in the family's business, Fitzgerald Furniture Store. One of her greatest joys in life was playing golf at the Joliet Country Club. Her favorite fearsome foursome consisted of Patty Palmer, Jean Stevens, the late Alice Goldhaber and herself. A devout Catholic and member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, she will be remembered for her attendance at daily mass, as well as serving as a model to her family and friends by visiting and helping others every day of her life. In her own words she stated, "I was born, raised and died in Joliet. It was a grand trip and I enjoyed every minute of it." Surviving are her loving sister, Kathleen (late Joseph) Broderick of Joliet; her beloved nieces and nephews, Mary Kay (Charles) Harrison, Thomas (Laurie) Fitzgerald, Aimee (Dean) Bennett, John (Becky) Fitzgerald, Mary (Bill) Whitmer, Kevin (Stacey) Brown, Meg (Nick) Honiotes, Terrence (Jo Ellen) Broderick, Dan Broderick and Tim (Anna) Broderick; brothers-in-law, Bill Brown and Marty (Lil) Flaherty; sisters-in-law, Sheila Flaherty and Carol Brown-Warpinski; many great nieces and nephews; her many cousins; and her husband's extended family . She was preceded by the love of her life, her beloved husband of 46 years, Arthur F. Silk (January 19, 2000); her parents, Frank E. and Margaret V. (nee Keough) Fitzgerald; one sister, Betty Jane Brown; two brothers, Bill (Marietta) Fitzgerald and Jack (Mariann) Fitzgerald; two nephews, Tim Fitzgerald and Michael Brown; one niece, Mary Margaret Broderick; her in-laws, Bud and Ag Flaherty; a brother-in-law, Terrence Flaherty; and all the deceased members of the Flaherty families. The family would like to thank everyone at Our Lady of Angels, especially Barbara Jean, Shirley, and George Block for their exceptional care. Funeral Services for Mary Lu Silk will be Saturday, October 4, 2014 at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Avenue, Joliet, where Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation Saturday morning at Our Lady of Angels from 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass. Mary Lu was very fond of the Dominican sisters and in lieu of flowers, memorials to the Church of St. Jude Grade School would be appreciated. For information: 815-741-5500 or www.fredcdames.com