Mary Babich

Mary passed peacefully after a two-year battle with breast cancer at Joliet Lightways Hospice on March 20, 2024 surrounded by family. Born March 6, 1944, Mary was a lifelong resident of Joliet. She grew up on Meeker Avenue where her family ran a local grocery store & made/sold the treasured family Italian sausage (Cresto Sausage). Graduate of Lincoln Grade School, Joliet Township Central High School, Joliet Junior College & JJC Cheerleader.

She was a Service Rep for Illinois Bell Telephone for 28 years in Lockport, Illinois. Mary could sell ice to an Eskimo. She loved talking with customers and was often recognized as top sales person. Post retirement, she decided to take on administrative work at Dr. Caneva Foot Clinic, Dr. Gutierrez, Pennaherera & Gurfinkle - Internal Medicine. She loved learning and talking about medicine. We often teased that she liked playing doctor in real-life when giving advice to friends and family.

A devout catholic and dedicated member of St. Joseph's & St. Mary's Nativity parishes. She was active in many clubs and organizations. She proudly served on the Rialto Board for 18 years. A past president and member of the Cantigny 367 VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Lightways Hospice guild member and active fundraiser for over 20 years, member of the Our Lady of Angels Auxiliary, Italian American Club, Moran Club, KSKJ, Elks Club, Moose Club, St. Joseph's Church Altar & Rosary Society & Senior Citizens Association. She held dear was her friendship with Gen and sisterhood with her Red Hats Club. She always looked forward to the monthly luncheons in celebration of birthdays and special occasions and always had a red-themed gift to share.

Mary was a proud supporter of her family; Joe for his many accomplishments as barber and county board member - she was always by his side, her daughters (Kelli & Lisa) and favorite son-in-law Dimitri for their many personal and professional accomplishments and her beautiful grandchildren; accomplished dancer Olivia and super soccer athlete Joseph.

She was a loyal Chicago Cubs, Bears, KC Chiefs (Mahomes) & Golden Gate Warriors (Steph) fan. Mary took her sports seriously. You could find her in her recliner for Sunday football focused on the game chanting 'get the ball back, sack the quarterback' when her team was on defense. She enjoyed watching sports with Joe, but if you were with them and her team was losing, she wouldn't hesitate to ask you to leave because you were bringing her team bad luck.

A generous and loyal friend to the end. She had a gift for every occasion that was often deemed part of the 'Mary Babich Collection'. Mary loved to travel. Her weekend get-a-ways to St. Joe Michigan and annual trips to Florida to visit family in Sarasota and Disney with her grandchildren were most treasured. Special memories of our family adventure to Italy where she met 6 first cousins, county trips with Dad and Slovenia to explore dad's family heritage were most notable.

Mary was known as an avid shopper and deal seeker. She loved TJ Maxx, the dollar store and her shopping sprees at Carson's and lunch at Al's Steakhouse with her besties Rose and Sally. Always put together, you would never see Mary without lipstick, hair, nails, classy outfit and always a coordinating scarf. She surrounded herself with beautiful things, most special were her rosary & angel collections.

Preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Angeline Cresto, Helen Babich mother-in-law, Joseph Babich father-in-law, sister Joanne (Donald) Legerski, brother Ronald Cresto, sister-in-law Jeanette Tucci, brother-in-law Bob Babich and other extended family.

She leaves behind her loving husband of 55 years Joseph (Banana Joe) Babich, daughters, Kelli Babich and Lisa Karnezis (Dimitri), two beautiful grandchildren Olivia and Joseph Karnezis, sister-in-law Margie Cresto, brother-in-law Rich Tucci and other nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.

Heartfelt appreciation for some special friends who were like family; The Navarro's (Jo Ann, Bob, Cassie & Bob), Sandy LaPaso and Tami Blake. Thank you for always taking the call when mom needed help. You are loved and appreciated for all of it. And to Sister Phyllis for her constant prayers and support.

Special thanks to all of the doctors and kind medical staff, our caregiver Emma, and the special angels at Joliet Lightways Hospice who took great care of her and supported her on her journey. 

In lieu of flowers, mom would appreciate donations in her name to Joliet Lightways Hospice. https://lightways.org/donate/

Lightways Hospice: 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431

Family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Monday, March 25, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. A celebration of Mary’s life will continue on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 with closing prayers beginning at 9:20 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. The funeral will then drive in procession to St. Joseph Church for a Mass of Christian Burial which will begin at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow and Mary will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery in Joliet.