Obituary of Shirley M. Weese
Shirley M. Weese (nee James)
Shirley M. Weese, age 98 of Joliet, passed away peacefully on Friday June 21, 2024, at Sunny Hill Nursing Home. She was born on May 27th, 1926 in Joliet, IL the daughter of the late Albert and Elizabeth (nee Spellman) James.
Shirley was a graduate of Providence High School. She later worked at the shipyards in Joliet during WWII, Illinois Bell as a switchboard operator, and a bookkeeper at Joliet Rivals Club. Shirley and her husband were avid bowlers at Rivals Club. She was a member of the Cantigny Post Women’s Auxiliary, Rivals Club Women’s Auxiliary and St. Annes Catholic Church.
There were always big Sunday dinners in the early days, and anyone who came by was welcome. She was a great source of support for her family. Her children were her pride and joy and later grew to include grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
She was stubborn and strong-willed because she needed to be. Her life was sprinkled with challenges and she was acquainted with grief, but she was strong for everyone else.
Shirley is survived by her children, Laurie (Pat) Magee, Carol Blazekovich, Kurt Weese, Marsha (Daniel) Packley, and Peggy (Mark) Clark; grandchildren, Jennifer (Rich) Olson, Matthew Vella, Betsy (Brad) Shoudis, Mallory (Nick) Columbus, Megan (Mike) Pullman, Adam (Jennifer) Blazekovich, Ian Blazekovich, Bree (Jeremy) Burkett, Melissa (Shelby) Henning, Brooke (Paul) Nino, Megan (Jack Hanson) Packley, Emily (Dustin) Spray, Ryan (Jackie) Slobodnik, Ryan Clark, and Bruce (Sarah Hudson) Clark; 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren, as well as her sister-in-law, Lillian (William) James.
She is preceded by her husband, Arthur F. Weese; her parents; and her siblings, Lois (Frank) Anderson, Phyllis Hegland, Nancy (Roger) Frieh, William(Lillian) James, Beverly James, and Betty Kay James.
A Memorial Gathering for Shirley will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet, IL, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service at 5:00 p.m. As it was her request cremation rites have been accorded and a private family inurnment will take place at a later date.
A special thanks to Greta, Bonnie & Christine from Lightways; as well as Jessica, Maria, Mary, Brenda, Angela & Carl at Sunny Hill.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.
For 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.
