Obituary of Melissa Lynn Tolios

Melissa Lynn Tolios (nee Bouchard)

Born: January 27, 1975

At Rest: May 3, 2024

Melissa Lynn Tolios, age 49, with grace and dignity throughout she lost her hard-fought battle against cancer on Friday, May 3, 2024 at Lightways Hospice Home.

Melissa was a lifelong learner. She earned a BA in History and a Masters degree in Cultural Anthropology. She was just finishing her PHD in Cultural Anthropology when her health precluded her from attaining that lifelong goal. She was proud to work with the Joliet Historical Society in an archivist position and worked at the Old Joliet Prison cataloging and organizing artifacts. In her younger years Melissa taught piano lessons, played the piano at Sunny Hill Nursing home, and was a trained Will County weather spotter. She also volunteered at Crisis Line of Will County, and was a boy scout leader.

Melissa is survived by her husband, Tom Tolios; mother, Jan Chandler; brothers, Chris (Melissa) Bouchard, and Zach Chandler; bonus brother, Richey Gamari; and best friend, Mary Warren. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Paul Bouchard; and her mother and father-in-law, Agnes and Akilas Tolios.

All friends and family are invited to celebrate Melissa’s life on Saturday, May 11, 2024 with a Memorial Visitation from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black (at Essington)Rd., Joliet.  As it was Melissa’s wish, cremation rites have been accorded.

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.