Obituary of Lynne Marie Lichtenauer
Lynne M. Lichtenauer, Age 81, passed away at her home after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, with her loving family by her side. Lynne is survived by her fiancé, Lorin Lynch; son, Eric; granddaughter, Lillian; brother, Les Gomora (Mary Lou); numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents, Les and Vivian (nee Barnes) Gomora. Lynne was a graduate of St. Francis Academy (Class of 1957).
Lynne, a pioneer of the City of Joliet has made many contributions to the community. She
retired in 2016 as JTHS Director of Alumni Relations and Development--District 204. Lynne’s accomplishments throughout her lifetime are as follows: Rialto Square Theatre-Spent 11 ½ years at the Rialto…4/1/2 as its Executive Director. Fashion modeling professionally in both the Chicago and New York City markets. Eight years in public relations and in various administrative positions with American Broadcasting Company, New York City 1962-1970. Bob Stewart Productions, New York City, game show development and production of game shows for the three major networks. 1965-1970. Co-host of weekly WJOL 1340 AM Friday morning talk show, “Lynne, Mary & Natalie” from 2002 to present. Director, Silver Cross Foundation Board – 28 years. Director, Joliet Park District Foundation – 17 years. Current President, Joliet Area Historical Museum and Old Joliet Prison-3 years. Board Member – 11 years. Director, Rialto Square Theatre Foundation Board – Founding member 2011. Joliet Area Sports Hall of Fame Board Member and member of athlete selection committee & annual induction ceremony planning committee - 17 years. City of Joliet Union Station Grand Opening Celebration – Planning Committee Member with the City of Joliet. City of Joliet Mayor’s Council Gang & Crime Prevention – Committee Member. Cultural Arts Council of the Joliet Area (Director) – 30 years. Curtain Call Community Theater (formerly the Lincolnway Community Theater) – Volunteer Consultant and participant of theater group’s focus study. Dow Chemical Community Advisory Board Founding Member and served 16 years as a Director. Downstate Coalition of Active Illinois Civic Centers – Founder in ’90-’91 and Chairperson. Education Services Network – Chairperson of Volunteers Committee for Silver Star Celebration – 2003. Friends of Community Public Art Advisory Board (Director). Friends of Community Public Art Katherine Dunham Tribute Planning Committee 2002. Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors – 10 years. Guardian Angel Community Services “Dancing with Our Local Stars” as 2008 Dancer and 2009 Event Planning Committee Member. Guardian Angel Community Services / Annual Red Carpet TV Co-Host. Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors – Founding Member of HCCVB. Illinois Junior Miss Pageant – Volunteer for annual fundraising projects. Joliet Area Historical Museum John F. Whiteside War Heroes Gallery - Naming Campaign Co-Chairman – Two years. Joliet Drama Guild – Past President & former member of Governing Board. Joliet Drama Guild - Director of "Lend Me A Tenor"/"Love, Sex & the IRS". Joliet Junior College Governor’s Fine Arts Committee. Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce Membership Blitz 2002 & 2004. Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce Council for Working Women Reality Store – 2003 & 2004. Joliet Township High School Foundation (Director) – 17 years. Lewis University – Member of initial President’s Advisory Council. Lewis University Cultural Advisory Board (Director) – 12 years. Lincolnway High School Performing Arts Center – Volunteer Consultant for programming and for initiating new Center’s Arts in Education Program for Lincolnway area grade schools. Rialto Square Theatre Mardi Gras Event Planning Committee. Rialto Square Theatre Festival of Trees Event Consultant. Rialto Square Theatre Co-Producer of the Rialto Idol productions. Rialto Square Theatre Co-Producer & Director of "A Very Rialto Christmas 2018. Rotary Club of Lockport member & served on Board of Directors –12 years. Center for Disabilities Services / Great Chef's Tasting Party - Annual Co-Emcee - 10 years to present. Children's Advocacy Center - Annual Red Carpet TV Co-Host - 10 years to present. Concert on the Hill Summer Performance Series – Annual Concert Emcee - 20 years to present. Cornerstone Services CEO Luncheon – Annual CEO Waiter – 20 years to present. Easter Seals Annual Telethon – Show Host / 18 years to present. Guardian Angel Community Services - Annual Red Carpet TV Co-Host - 12 years to present. Hugs Annual Gala Co-Host & Emcee - 10 years to present. Old Joliet Prison Coalition founded in 2018 - Board Member to present. Old Joliet Prison Break-In event 2018/2019 - Planning Committee to present.
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Annual Memorial Day Tribute to Veterans – Mistress of Ceremonies 2005* and had the great privilege of introducing United States Senator Barack Obama as the keynote speaker. First woman invited to act as the host of the ceremony in event’s nine-year history. Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake Team Captain –Three years. Big Brothers Volunteer Fundraising Consultant. Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Event - Planning Committee Member for The Grand Concert “A Rhapsody in Blue”. Citywide Alumni Homecoming Event – Co-Chairman City Center Partnership Planning Committee 2003. City Center Partnership Board of Directors and member of the Board’s Executive Committee – Founding Member of CCP. City of Joliet “Joliet Kicks on Route 66” event – “Grease” cast performance. City of Joliet Youth Services Small Grants Awards Committee – Three years. Senior Services Center 40th Anniversary 2007-2008 Capital Campaign Co-Chair. Silver Cross Hospital Annual Golf Outing - Founding Member. Silver Cross Hospital Community Trustee - Seven years. Silver Cross Hospital Annual Fund Committee – Five years. Sunset at Birdhaven - Restoration Campaign Volunteer for Birdhaven Greenhouse. Sunset at Birdhaven - Planning Committee Co-chairman for two years –Committee member for the annual event – Seven years total. Will County Chamber Center for Economic Development Marketing Committee. World’s Largest Office Party in a Parking Deck – Founded idea for a successful downtown event in the late 80s, early 90s.
Visitation for Lynne Lichtenauer will be at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet on Sunday, February 28, 2021, from 2 – 8 p.m. Facemasks, social distancing, and capacity restrictions will be observed. Funeral services will be Monday, March 1, 2021, at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. with a maximum capacity of 150 guests. Interment will follow at Elmhurst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to the Joliet Area Historical Museum, Rialto Square Theatre Foundation, or Silver Cross Hospital Foundation would be appreciated. For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or you may visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
Please see below the "Lynne with Lillian" Memorial Tribute Video.
