Obituary of Grace Ann Cerniak
Beloved wife, cherished best friend, and soul mate of Gerard D. Cerniak M.D., married for 54 years, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. A proud Mayflower descendant born on October 30, 1947, in Sandusky, Ohio to Norman Towne and Dorothy Blum. She grew up in Huron, Ohio until attending St. Xavier University in Chicago, obtaining a BSN in 1969.
She leaves behind to grieve her husband Gerard, sister Janet (John Planthaber) of Ohio and brother William S Towne III M.D. (Linda) of Rockford, IL. Two nieces and a nephew and all her many friends.
She met Dr. Cerniak at Mercy Hospital in Chicago after a whirlwind courtship, married, and moved with him to Rochester, Minnesota. There she was a neurosurgical ICU nurse at Mayo-Clinic Methodist Hospital.
Returning to the Will County area, she was an admired school nurse in the Valley View School District 365U in Bolingbrook, IL. An unfortunate auto accident in 1980 caused severe spinal cord damage resulting in quadriplegia. Though it limited her movement she fought it like a trooper, becoming a standout swimmer on the Marianjoy Rehab Hospital team.
She was bright, funny, spunky, and immediately loved by anyone who met her.
The ravages of her long-term injury took its toll but she never gave up. Her sudden death has left an aching in our hearts, minds, and souls.
She will be missed but never forgotten. God’s speed Gracie, we can’t wait to see you whole again in heaven. Love you forever. Give our doggies Quija and Elke a pet!
Our deepest gratitude to her caregivers Sandy, Sharon, Fran, Maura, Imelda, and Kathy. They made her life bearable and were angels.
A special thanks to her Tall Grass dinner buddies, her California house guest visitors, her long-term traveling friends, and all her many physicians and therapists. We must note her three former roommates and close friends Beez Jordon, Judith Hicks, and Frances Cerri who were her partners in crime!
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to United Spinal Association P.O. Box 545, Palos Heights, IL 60463.
Services for Grace Cerniak will be held Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home at 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) Joliet, where memorial visitation will begin at 12 noon until services begin at 3:00 p.m. A celebration of life will commence at Mistwood Golf Club at 1700 W Renwick Rd Romeoville, IL beginning at 4:00 p.m. Bring your stories and remembrances of Grace.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Tribute at www.fredcdames where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
