Helen Ann (Buttles) Delaney

Helen Ann Delaney (nee Buttles), age 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville, IL.  Helen was surrounded by her loving family who will miss her deeply. Helen passed away just nine days short of her 90th birthday, and while her family cannot celebrate with her, they know she will be dancing in heaven with Joe, the love of her life.

Helen leaves to cherish her memories her seven devoted children and their spouses, Maureen (Chuck) Resler of Naperville, IL, Peg (Ed) Monteagudo of LaGrange Highlands, IL, Patricia (Terry, deceased) Stanley of Plainfield, IL, Kathleen (Gary) Anderson of Plainfield, IL, Susan (John) Hulbert of Minooka, IL, Michael (Vikki Stein) Delaney of Western Springs, IL, and Sharon (Michael) Carnaghi of Oswego, IL.  Helen is survived by twenty-two grandchildren, Jennifer Hall, Joseph Resler, Emily, David, and Laura Monteagudo, Tim and Dan Stanley, Katie Moudry, and Colleen Matza, Patrick, Nicholas, Christopher and Sarah Anderson, Jeffrey, Stephen, Michelle and Kevin Hulbert, Sean, Connor, and Nolan Delaney, Thomas and Julia Carnaghi, and thirteen great-grandchildren.  Helen is also survived by her sister, Phyllis (John, deceased) Rapcan of Plainfield, IL.

Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph; her parents, Earl and Helen Buttles; and her son-in-law, Terry Stanley.

Helen was born and raised in Joliet, IL and graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1945.  In 1948, Helen married Joe and together they began an adventure that lasted 66 years.  Helen spent her life devoted to Joe and her children.  Joe and Helen were blessed with seven children, and Helen stayed home for many years to care for the children.  When Sharon her youngest child went to junior high, Helen decided it was time to work outside the home.  Helen worked for a brief time at Bergner’s, moving on to work in the Business Office at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL for over 11 years. Helen’s employment at Lewis University created a relationship that led to many of her children and grandchildren obtaining their degrees from Lewis.

Helen loved constructing innovative Halloween costumes and creating beautiful Christmas memories for her children, gardening, knitting, and doing crossword puzzles, often completing three puzzles a day.  As grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived, Helen was the first to go to the hospital to meet the newest member of the family and to offer her support and guidance.  Helen had a wonderful sense of fashion and even into her 80s remarked that she did not want “clothes that make me look old.”  Helen had a quick wit, and she never missed an opportunity to offer advice in her own quiet way.

The family wishes to thank the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm and the entire staff at St. Patrick’s Residence for their loving and dignified care of Helen for the past four years and particularly during the past several months.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the family to support various causes.

A Celebration of Helen’s life will begin on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:30 a.m. then driving in procession to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 a.m. Entombment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville. Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.