Obituary of Bernadette T. Sadowski
Bernadette T. Sadowski
(nee West)
Our beloved “Mimi” has a special place in our hearts. Her joy stemmed from making the people around her smile. She spent her lifetime as a caretaker, but what you may not know is that she was an adventurer and a trailblazer. Bernadette (“Bernie”) T. Sadowski, 80, of Shorewood, IL died peacefully on December 23, 2023. She was born in Oswego, New York on May 18, 1943, to Anna and Don West. As a young child, she grew up in the countryside near the SUNY College of Oswego, which is situated near the shores of Lake Ontario, playing in the fields, ice skating on the ponds, searching for polliwogs, playing tennis, and riding horses, all with her younger sister and partner in crime, Kathy.
In 1967, she left New York, and headed west, moving her young family to Morris, Illinois where she started a Newcomer’s Club and a Bridge Club. She wanted everyone to have a place to meet new friends and call home. In the 70s, while her boys played football, Bernie jumped at the chance to start and serve as the coach for the Cheerleading Program for the Plainfield Jr. Cats. Bernie traveled the world on a whim once, flying stand-by with her dear friend, Heidi Cordray; thus, fueling her love of adventure and flying. Bernie took to the skies herself and earned her pilot’s license, instructed by Char Trofinchuck, who quickly became a lifelong friend. Bernie was the secretary and member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) for many years.
She held fun and exciting jobs before starting her career serving patients at an ophthalmology office in Morris IL. Years later, at Vision Correction Clinic in Joliet, IL, she met and married Dr. Lawrence (“Larry”) E. Sadowski. Bernie and Larry celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary this past May. Mimi loved her grandchildren dearly and experienced many adventures with them.
Bernadette is survived by her sister, Kathy (Kyle) Robinson; children, Andrew (Laura) Symons and Eric (Christine) Symons; step-children, Jen (Alex) Beck and Kevin (Holly) Sadowski; five grandchildren, Kyle, Daniel, Katie, Rese, and Lila Symons; two great-grandchildren, Henry and Colton Symons; and four step-grandchildren, Eva and Max Beck and Madelyn and Nolan Sadowski; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends, patients, co-workers, and fellow adventurers.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved spouse, Dr. Lawrence Sadowski; her older sister, Jean (Sam) Pasco; and her twin siblings, Dorothy (Jack) Barry and Don (Patsy) West.
Visitation for Bernadette T. Sadowski will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:30 pm. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park II in Joliet.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.
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.
