Mary (Dianni) Babic

Mary Babic, (nee Dianni), 86, a longtime resident of Crest Hill, died peacefully Friday, Dec. 21, 2018.

Mary was born and raised on Meeker Avenue in Joliet, the youngest of four girls born to Nestore and Alfonsina Dianni, who came to the United States from Italy. Mary graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1950. After graduation, she worked for several years in the personnel office of U.S. Steel.  In 1957, she married Marko Babic. They settled on Clement Street in Crest Hill and raised five children. Since Marko’s death in 2016, she has lived at Willow Falls retirement community.

Mary worked as a library clerk at Chaney-Monge School for 25 years. Mrs. Babic’s face and smile were familiar sights to generations of Crest Hill kids. She always gave them a warm hello, and occasionally let them hang out in her office in the back of the library. Mary loved cats and always had at least one around the house.

Along with Marko, she was a member of the Croatian Cultural Club for decades, helping out at countless Friday fish fries, dances, and picnics. She also was a longtime parishioner of St. Anne's Catholic Church.

Most of all, Mary was devoted to her family. She was most in her element when preparing her big, Italian dinners on Sundays and holidays. This brought her much joy and created memories that will last a lifetime. Her humor and positive outlook on life will be deeply missed.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sisters Nancy Podner of St. Petersburg, FL; Jean Jasinski of Joliet; and Anne Dianni of Joliet.

She is survived by children James (Mary) of Berwyn, JoAnn (C.J. Braaten) of Minneapolis, Mark of Aurora, Dan and Mary Jean (Lou Rosenfeld) of Brooklyn, NY; grandchildren Jacob and Marco Braaten; Joseph, Anne, Nicholas, and Max Babic; and Iris and Nate Rosenfeld; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Joliet Area Community Hospice, whose assistance was invaluable these last few months.

Visitation is scheduled on Friday, December 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, in Joliet, the driving in procession to St. Anne Catholic Church, 1702 Dearborn in Crest Hill, for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 1:00 p.m. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville.