Obituary of LeEtta R. Perry
LeEtta R. Perry, age 89, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 5, 2021, due to complications from a fall one month ago. Her deep faith guided her throughout her life, along with her great sense of humor and pride in her Polish heritage.
LeEtta was a lifelong resident of Joliet. She attended St. Thaddeus grade school, Joliet Township High School (Class of 1950), and Joliet Junior College (Class of 1953). She married her beloved Peter G. Perry in 1955, who then serenaded her with Dixieland Jazz music for the rest of his days.
Many organizations welcomed LeEtta as a committed volunteer, including the Visitation & Aid Society of Joliet, American Red Cross, Crisis Line, Daybreak/Catholic Charities, St. Raymond's Religious Education program, Vacation Bible School, and the Pastoral Care program where she brought Holy Communion to homebound parishioners. LeEtta was also a devoted member of her Small Christian Community group and the Hearts on Fire weekly prayer group. LeEtta and Peter were members of the Christian Family Movement (CFM), and hosted foreign students and Cuban refugees in their home. LeEtta worked at Cornerstone Services for fifteen years. She was a medical tech at Osler Laboratories and a water safety instructor for the American Red Cross. She was a member of the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus for over sixty-five years.
Survived by her three precious daughters and sons-in-law, Susan (Gregory) Peyla of Shorewood, Ellen (Jeffery) Anderson of Chicago, Karen Diedrich of Leland, NC; a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Krominga of Odell; nine beloved grandchildren, Melissa Perry (Jason Dienema), Brad Perry, Danny Perry (Molly Jones), Seth Peyla, Scott (Sarah) Anderson, Elizabeth (Jake) Martin, Claire Anderson, Sarah Diedrich and Grant Diedrich; five precious great-grandchildren, Payton and Chloe Perry, Maxwell and William Martin, and Jenna Dienema; her devoted siblings, sister, Kathleen Ochs of Indian Head Park, brother, Leroy Rakoski (Jolene Scroggins) of Joliet and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sally and Ron Helmer of Sarasota, FL. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, including her dear friend, Peggy Georgevitch, and the Hearts on Fire prayer group.
Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Peter G. Perry; her precious son, David L. Perry; her parents, Leo and Charlotte (Jacubczyk) Rakoski; and her in-laws, Leo A. Perry and
LeEtta's family is most grateful for the compassionate care Lightways Hospice provided, especially from Margie and Beth. The family is also grateful for the years of excellent medical care LeEtta received from Dr. Robert D. Elgar, Dr. Ankur Sharma, and Dr. John M. Walsh.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at the Cathedral of St. Raymond for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. A short Visitation will take place in the Cathedral narthex at 9:30 a.m. before the Mass. Masks are required at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. Private interment will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Joliet, at a later date. The family has requested to live stream the Mass for LeEtta. Please click on this link http://othervertical.com/lrperry/ and follow the instructions to show your support for them at a time when you cannot be physically present, but your thoughts, prayers and connection are.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in LeEtta's memory to the Cathedral of St. Raymond or Lightways Hospice 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 a condolence.
