Obituary of Marie T. Stelow
Born: December 9, 1930
Died: September 2, 2021
Marie died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 90 with loving family at her bedside.
She is survived by her 6 daughters, Marla Johnson (Rick Shinneman), Melissa Griffin (Marion, deceased), Michelle Rogness (Dave), Melanie Messenger (Ken, deceased), Maureen Simpson (Bill), and Miriam “Mimi” Bartos (Mike); and her beloved sister and brother-in-law, Carol and David Efroymson. Survivors also include 10 grandchildren, Shaun Messenger (Theresa), Erin Magee (Matt Lee), Shannon Baer (Ben), Joshua Johnson (Kate), Riann Galus (Gary), Nathaniel Magee (Jessica), Bill Simpson (Jacqueline), Tim Simpson (Kristin), Justin Wise (Lauren), and Taryn Price (Geoff); and 17 great-grandchildren.
Marie is preceded in death by her husband, William F. (“Bill”) Stelow in 2018; her father, Frank W. Culik; her mother, Marie M. (Stonich) Culik; and a granddaughter Tarah Wise.
Marie had many academic and career accomplishments. Marie was the Valedictorian of her 1948 Providence High School Class, graduated magna cum laude from College of St. Francis with Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and English, and earned her Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from George Williams College in Downers Grove.
Marie began her career as an English teacher and taught at both the elementary (St. Mary’s School in Mokena) and high school (Joliet Catholic High and Plainfield High School) levels. She went on to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor serving as a Mental Health Counselor at Healy & Associates in Joliet, Co-Director of the 1st Church Community Counseling Center in Lombard, and eventually in private practice in mental health counseling in Joliet. Marie was also an Instructor of Social Psychology at Joliet Junior College. She was a member of the American Counseling Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, and Lambda Iota Tau.
Marie was a devout Catholic. When her daughters attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Joliet, she and her husband were active in the Parent Aid Club. Marie also served the Diocese of Joliet with her skills as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Marie loved everything intellectual, and she always said that Jeopardy “kept her sharp.” She also was an avid Democrat dedicated to issues of peace and justice. She also loved knitting.
Marie donated her body to the Anatomical Gift Society of Illinois to further medical research. When the time is right, her interment will take place with her husband Bill, a WWII Veteran, at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
The family asks for donations to Lightways, formerly Joliet Area Community Hospice, so that they may continue providing their wise and loving care and comfort to other patients and their families in their final days.
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.
