Pauline "Pollyanne" Pucel

Pauline “Pollyanne” Pucel (nee McKeon), age 99, passed away peacefully in her home with her devoted children by her side on June 23, 2024. A lifelong resident of Joliet, IL, she was born to Bill and Anne (nee Legan) McKeon on May 12, 1925. 

So peacefully and so beautifully, the angels came for mom in the most loving way we could have hoped for and led her into God's loving arms. Many of her loved ones were able to each spend some precious time with her. She had always hoped for that. We now can't imagine living in a world where our mom doesn't, but we know she is always with us. 

 Every time we pulled in her driveway, we always saw her sitting in her chair with her light on. When we walked in the door, we would be guaranteed a big smile and lots of hugs from her. Then the parties began.... The house would be filled with love, laughter and chaos. She called her house 'grand central station'.... And it was. And we liked it that way.

 As a young family, we loved the aroma of a pot roast that she made every Sunday. She loved us all being together and she was always happy that we all stayed close by. Fortunately for her, she was able to experience all the special times in our lives because we always included her in everything and we loved that she could watch our own families grow.

 She hosted fun-filled hectic Christmas days for 64 years in her iconic basement! The other holidays were also celebrated at her home that her husband John and her proudly built. She hosted the best backyard cookouts, especially our annual luau that brought so much joy, laughter and good food that became a favorite tradition.

 She certainly loved being called a Grandma. All seven of them had a very special relationship with her. They all loved to be around her even as grown adults. When she became a great grandma of nine, one of her greatest gifts was to be called GiGi. And, oh how she loved them all. And, oh how they loved their GiGi.

 She had the best relationships ever with her two sisters. We have never seen such love among siblings as the three of them. There was always so much love and laughter in the room when the McKeon girls were there!

 Pollyanne was an example of unconditional love, good times and traditions that she learned from her mom and dad and carried down to each generation in her family. And she was also proud of her Irish heritage.

 She was a much loved 'Aunt Pollyanne' to her adoring nieces and nephews. She was a special niece to her dear namesake, Aunt Pauline (Sr. Mary St. Cyril) and prayed to her often.

Pollyanne was 'ma' to all of her kids' friends, too, and hers was the go-to house for all to gather. It still is...

 Pinecrest subdivision provided her a strong bond with her long-time neighbors, with some watching their children grow up together.

 From St. Ray's Grade School to St. Francis Academy, she received her education. Her Catholic faith was important to her, so she wanted to educate her kids in catholic schools. She then became active with St. Mary's Mother's Club in Plainfield. She continued on as a V.P. of Joliet Catholic High Mother's Club. A woman of strong faith, she attended mass regularly at St. Ambrose and was also devoted to St. Theresa of the Little Flower.

 The loss of her grandson and more recently of her son, put an emptiness in her heart. She kept her family strong and together to help us all through our grief, and we were, more importantly, there for her. She showed unconditional support during very hard times for those who needed her. 

 Pollyanne was proud to be one of the original employees at Bergner's/Carson's for 26 years until her retirement at 81. She loved her group of co-workers and some have remained dear friends.

 Always hoping to yell bingo, she played for many years with high hopes to win the pot. If you offered to take her to the casino, she couldn't grab her coat fast enough, hoping to win at the slots, too. If she wasn't there you would find her at Town & Country, bowling in two leagues with her southpaw delivery and enjoying her fellow bowlers for many years. If she happened to be home, she'd be sitting in her chair cheering on her beloved White Sox, always able to talk about every play with her boys. And it was such a joy for her to celebrate her Sox winning the World Series by going to the parade as well as Sox Fest. If she got to go to a game, she couldn't wait to get her hotdog and a cold beer.

 Many of us played a card game with her called Knock-Knock so much that we wore out countless decks of cards! She played every single day. And oh, the fun we had! It kept her mind sharp and her competitive edge on point. How fortunate to stay so occupied with such a fun game. We played anytime, anywhere. And she loved it.

We even played on vacations. Before that, we played Triple Yahtzee which was our first tradition. Vacations with mom were the best, whether mom and dad took us as kids, or when she went with her grandchildren. The memories they still have of their Grandma's good time with them are forever priceless. 

Pollyanne also spent many fabulous vacations with her two girls and had the best times ever....Swim all day, eat oceanside, then back to the room to play Yahtzee, Knock-Knock and laugh all night.

 Because we were so active in numerous sports, she never missed a practice or a game. She also went to more dance recitals than anyone. Besides her daughters, she even watched her granddaughter and great-granddaughter shine on their stage.

 Christmas shopping adventures became a treasured memory. She sure loved a full day out for a traditional bargain hunt. In fact. She loved to go somewhere every day, enjoyed being out, especially lately to be with her sister, and provide love and inspiration to her.

 All of us were always ready for a good story from her and she would laugh the whole time while telling a funny one. She had so much wisdom about old events because she was fortunate to have lived long enough to talk about them. Pollyanne sure loved to sing all the old songs and made us smile to hear them.

 As you can tell she sure never wanted to miss a thing. We all loved that she was around for everything that was going on with everyone.

 ATI physical therapy became her local hangout the last few years. She loved to show off her strength and stamina. Her improvements were impressive. And they all enjoyed her charm.

A very special little plush pooch became her therapy 'dog'. She named him Pookie. He provided so much love and comfort for her, so we loved him, too!

When a life of 99 years is still too short a time, that is how you know what a rare gem someone has been. In the days since her passing, our family has grieved, but we have recognized the incredible gift that our Mom has been to us. We see little pieces of her in each of our lives and our personalities. Everyone has adopted one or more of Mom's characteristics into our own existence. 

 To know her was to love her, and there was lots to love! So, we are comforted in knowing that she will feel so much love in heaven now.

 Pollyanne was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Anne, her husband John R. Pucel Sr., her son John (Dick) Pucel Jr., her sons Denny and Danny in infancy, her grandson Jason Pucel, her sister Joan Vollmer, and her Aunt Pauline (Sr. Mary St. Cyril).

 She is survived by her loving children: Paulette Cora, Doug (Eva) Pucel, Pam Pucel, Bill Pucel, and daughter-in-law Kathy (Dick) Pucel, her dear sister Rose Menozzi; her grandchildren: Dominique Annis, Casey (Maura) Cora, Shane (Edna) Pucel, Aaron (Sarah Weiske) Pucel, Ashley (Doug Kuikman) Pucel, and Melanie (T.J.) Chervinko; great grandchildren: Kailey and Camden Annis, Fiona, Emmett, and Thomas Cora, Alex and Vaida Kuikman, Liliana and Harper Chervinko. Extended family, friends, and loved ones, too numerous to name individually, also survive.

 A Celebration of Life visitation will be held at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435 on Tuesday July 9, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. All guests will be invited to gather again at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life on the morning of Wednesday July 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. for closing prayers before traveling in procession to St. Ambrose Church, 1705 Burry Circle Dr. Crest Hill, IL for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Per Pollyanne’s wishes, cremation rites will then be accorded and inurnment will take place at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 23060 W Jefferson St. Joliet, IL on Friday July 12, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pollyanne’s name to Lightways Hospice would be appreciated.