Obituary of Sybella M. Bajt
Sybella Marso Bajt, affectionately known as “Totsy” since infancy, passed away on Friday, April 16, 2021, at Joliet Area Community Hospice, after a prolonged, brave battle with COPD. She was born on June 13, 1936. Raised and educated in Joliet, she attended St. Raymond’s Cathedral, graduating in 1950. Her high school years were spent at St. Francis Academy, where she graduated with the Class of 1954. She then enrolled in St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, graduating from their nursing program in 1957. Upon graduation, she joyfully began her nursing career, first at St. Joseph Hospital and then at various nursing homes before retiring in 2012 from Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home after 55 years of dedication and service. It should be noted that Totsy’s love for learning earned her a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Arts and Sciences from the College of St. Francis in 1973.
After her retirement, Sybella volunteered her services as a CNA at Joliet Area Community Hospice, where she also became a member of the Hospice Guild, serving as Chairperson of Membership. She was also a member of Provena St. Joseph Medical Center Ladies Auxiliary from 2012 to 2020, where she served as the Ways and Means Coordinator and she was actively involved and dedicated to raising money through raffles, fashion shows, festivals of foods, and golf outings.
In spite of all her involvements in work and charitable events, Totsy still found time to be a great mom to her three sons. She loved Tommy, Stevie, and Bobby very much and was so proud of their accomplishments in the professional fields.
Totsy carried with her throughout her life, a love for golf. It all started as a young child with her mom, dad, and brother at Joliet Country Club. She was a long-time member of the Lady Elks Women’s Golf League. When she could golf no longer, she spent hours watching golf on her big-screen TV. She loved nature and the outdoors and looked forward to her summer trips to Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, fishing pole in hand, with her son, Robert, and daughter-in-law, Julie.
During the holiday season especially. Totsy would bake massive amounts of different delicious cookies. Her chocolate chip cookies could win a contest, hands down. Her cakes and cookies were always shared with family, friends, and charities.
Finally, she was the best reliable and loveable babysitter to her sons’ dogs. She loved the dogs, and the dogs loved her!
Totsy is the beloved wife of Thomas L. Bajt; loving mother of Tom (Mariann Wrobel), Steve and Robert (Julie) Bajt; proud and devoted grandmother of Thomas "T.J." and Danny Bajt; fond sister-in-law of Julie Marso and Patricia Ann Moore. Several nephews and a niece also survive.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Sybella (nee Riley) Marso; and brother, Robert "Bob" Marso.
Oh, how we will miss her - my wife, our mom, and our friend.
Our Family would like to thank the staff at Joliet Area Community Hospice for their tender loving care to our loved one, Sybella.
Visitation for Totsy will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home to 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. Interment will follow at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431, would be appreciated. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or you may visit her Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
