Obituary of Mary A. Papesh
Mary A. (Countryman) Papesh
Mary A. (Countryman) Papesh age 92, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones, Saturday evening, December 2, 2023. Mary was born March 2, 1931, in Plainfield, Illinois.
Beloved wife of the late Edward V. Papesh, who passed October 26, 1990. Loving mother of David (Amy) Papesh of Tennessee, the late Michael (Molly) Papesh of Westmont, and Brian (Debbie) Papesh of Joliet. Loving Grandmother of Jack Papesh, Emily Papesh, Michelle Papesh, Matthew Papesh, Allison Papesh, and Joshua Papesh. Several generations of nieces and nephews also survive.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband; parents Arthur W. Countryman (US Army TSgt) in 1944, and Loretta G. (Hamilton) Countryman; three siblings, Eleanor (the late Bernard) Yedinak of Joliet, IL, Arthur Earl (the late Minnie) Countryman, and Georgia (the late Richard) Donisch of Plainfield.
Mary grew up in Plainfield and was a member of Sharon Evangelical Church (now Sharon United Methodist Church). She graduated from Plainfield High School with the class of 1949. Mary and Edward Papesh were married at St. Mary Catholic Church in Plainfield in 1953. Mary became a parishioner of St Joseph Catholic Church in Joliet where Edward and Mary raised their family in the Catholic Faith. She was a volunteer at St Joseph Hospital in the early ‘70s becoming a Nurse’s Aide. In 1980, Mary went into retail at Bergner’s housewares dept. at Louis Joliet Mall until she was hired as a bookkeeper in the banking sector, retiring from 1st Midwest Bank in 1992.
In her free time, she enjoyed sewing and crocheting. Spending time with friends and family during the holidays was very special to Mary. Every Christmas and Easter she spent hours in the kitchen making potica while passing on her talents to her children and grandchildren. She will be dearly missed as the strongest, most resilient woman that kept us all moving forward, and was always there whenever she was needed.
All friends and relatives are invited to gather Thursday December 7, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church 416 N. Chicago Street, Joliet from 9:30 a.m. until Mary's Memorial Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary's name can be made to Lightways Hospice of Joliet.
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.
