Mary Frances (Gleason) Petro
May 12, 1931 — January 21, 2017
Mary Frances Petro (nee Gleason), age 85, at rest on Saturday, January 21, 2017.
Loving mother of Janet (Robert) Hewlett, Nick (Leah) Petro, Meg (Paul) Studer, Alan (Sarah) Petro and Kristi (Scott) Niedzwiecki. Dearest grandmother “Nanny” of Kevin (Paul Wilson) Gornik, Mark (Jill) Gornik, Max Hewlett, Mallory (Phil Cantu) Hewlett, Tony Petro, Dan (Kerri Lyke) Petro, Nicholas (Danielle Sabo) Petro, Brett (Ashley) Studer and Aaron (Myrissa Larson) Studer, Nicole (Edgar) Martinez and Elizabeth Petro, William and Owen Niedzwiecki. Great-granddaughters, Chelsey Reid and Mayla Kaye Martinez; great-great-granddaughter, Ieleh Reid; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends also survive.
Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Elmo Petro (2006); parents, John “Red” and Margaret (nee McCarthy) Gleason; sister, Rita Gleason; brother, James “Babe” Gleason; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Egizio) Gleason, Lucille (Don) Trainor, Dorothy (George) Hazer and Mary (Vernon) Pilz; and brother-in-law, Ted Petro.
Born in Joliet on May 12, 1931 and graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1949. She was employed by Selective Services System of Joliet, and then Physicians Record Company in Chicago, where she met her husband Elmo. They were married July 17, 1954 at St. Mary Carmelite Church, Joliet.
Mary Fran was a dedicated volunteer, offering her time at St. Ambrose Catholic School, St. Mary Nativity School and St. Joseph Hospital. She was also employed by Mark Shale for several years. Also a talented seamstress, Mary Fran was known for her elaborate Halloween costumes as well as being creative and artistic.
Her grandchildren were the highlight of her life. They will lovingly remember her for her famous Saturday morning pancakes, trips to the library and Naperville Riverwalk among many other fond memories.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Jean Konrad and to devoted friend Alice Scheffler for the routine lunches and shopping trips that brightened the last years of her life.
In lieu of flowers contributions to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
A celebration of Mary Fran’s life will begin on Thursday, January 26, 2017 with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:20 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 a.m. Entombment to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.