Kathy Ann Monteleone (nee Maddox). 53, of Genoa, passed from this world into Eternity on Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, with her family at her bedside. The daughter of the late Robert Maddox, and Daisy Dunning, who survives, she was born on October 9, 1958, in St. Charles, Illinois.? On July 15, 1978, she married her one and only sweetheart, Frank T. Monteleone, and in succeeding years was blessed with four children.
Services are at DeFiore Jorgensen Funeral Home-10763 Dundee Road in Huntley. Visitation is Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday at 10:30 a.m. (9:30 a.m. visitation preceding) at St. Mary Church in Huntley, with Father Scott DuVall officiating. ?Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.
Kathy was a person who did not demand much of ?life to find happiness. She was very content to be with her dear husband, Frank, enjoying her home with its yard overflowing with flowers and a fish pond, playing with her little dog? Lola,and being a devoted mom to her adored children, making each of her children feel like they were an only child. Kathy loved the outdoors. A favorite activity was boating with her family in Wisconsin. She could still waterski slalom for miles, in a bikini, eye-catching in a gorgeous tan with her long blond hair streaming behind her. She was always up for a new adventure including a girls’ weekend at Lake Geneva where she went rock wall climbing, clambering about an aerial playground of ropes, wires and ladders, and whipping down a zip line with her daughters.?
For nearly 20 years, Kathy was employed by Jewel Food Stores. She had recently earned the title “The Chunk Lady” in the produce section in Jewel/Sycamore because of her talent for transforming fresh produce into wonderful fruit platters. Kathy’s Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were a place where her extended family was welcomed to enjoy her wonderful cooking. She could be found in the kitchen, elbow deep in whipped mashed potatoes, happily chatting away with her many guests. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she went out of her way to find that perfect gift for each person; before the wrapping even came off, the lucky recipient knew they would love her gift. Kathy was a lifetime member of the Art Institute of Chicago and treasured her visits there, where her creativity was inspired by the paintings and sculptures. Her real passion was her miniatures. She created diminutive rooms, gardens, shoppes, bridal suites with petite lingerie, and dollhouses with authentically rolled toilet paper, miniscule light switches, and myriad other details. A family favorite was her Santa’s workshop with toys scattered about and a tiny tree with real lights that she simply could not stop herself from redecorating. Kathy would attend miniature shows in Chicago and surrounding areas to acquire ideas and then use her own inexpensive ways to create things such as perfume bottles made from necklace beads and findings. Everywhere Kathy went, from resale shoppes to craft stores to hardware shops, she was constantly on the look out for more miniatures and even fabric, shirts, vests, or paper to be collected for later perfect creations with incredible details. And for 33 years, it did not matter; wherever Kathy was, that is where Frank wanted to be. He was at her side through the last 60 days in Northwestern’s ICU; she was never abandoned, she was never alone.
?She was preceded in death by her father, Bob, and is survived by her mother and stepfather, Daisy and Bob Dunning of St. Charles, husband Frank and children Lisa (Josh) Sexton of Sycamore, Frank “Junior” (Kari) Monteleone of Genoa, Michelle (James) Taylor and Michael Angelo “Mikey” Monteleone of Genoa, precious grandchildren Samantha Sexton, Clayton Sexton, and Haley Taylor, her loving brothers, Bob (Lori) Maddox of Maple Park and Daryl (Maria) Maddox of Plato Center, as well as her half siblings and many nieces & nephews.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation for the tender care provided by the nurses and physicians at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.
In memorial, her family encourages those who loved her to give the gift of hope for the thousands of individuals awaiting organ transplants. In Illinois, participants may join the First-Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry at LifeGoesOn.com.
For more information please call 847-515-8772 or on-line condolences may be directed to www.defiorejorgensen.com?
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Our deepest sympathy
So sorry for you loss, all of you have been in our prayers. We never know when we will be called home, God has set times for each and everyone of us. We are only on this earth a short time, when we cross over into heaven there is no more pain, she is not sick now. We will miss Kathy but we will see her again when our time on this earth is up. We are sad that she left us but she has been reunited with her family in heaven. She is at peace in the ever lasting arms of Jesus. Now she is up there cheering us on as she watches family and friends find Jesus. God bless and comfort each of you.
Kathy did not have any "real" sisters, but she has always been more of a sister than a sister-in-law to me. The last two months have been a difficult experience but one that our family will treasure always. I know in my heart it was her unselfish way of allowing us to be with her and to hold her hand - to tell her how much we loved her and to allow us to get accustomed to the idea that she would only be here with us for a little while longer. All this time when we were holding her hand and tears were in our eyes, we thought we were comforting her, but in reality it was her way of comforting us. We all miss her so very much, but we know she misses us even more and we look forward to the day when we will see her smile and hear her laugh once again! Until that time comes, we will proudly honor her memory as the sweetest, most kind-hearted, unselfish, loyal, and most giving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and "sister" that she was.
when we got the phone call about kathy our hearts were broken , she was very special in all of our familys, she was loved by all her family , our deepest sympathy goes to the family frank and kids, bobby and daryl and aunt daisy god bless
To Frank & kids, Daryl & Maria, Bob & Lori, Aunt Daisy; I am so sorry that you are all going through this sad time of losing such a loving person who meant the world to you all. I wish I had something to say that would take away this time of pain and sorrow. Its so hard to lose someone you love so dearly. Kathy always had a way of making everything fun when we were kids and adults. She loved life, and cherished her family. God in heaven only knows why He chose to bring her home at this point but the one thing we do have to look forward to is being with her again, and she is free from pain and suffering. I love you all and wish I could've been there but my Dr. said no, but know that I am there in heart and spirit. If any of you ever need to talk, Daryl has my number, please call anytime, day or night. I hope the comfort of God will get you all through this time and I pray for you all. To Kathy: I love you and I will never forget all the good times we had growing up before we moved to Mo and I will always remember living with you all on Fern Ave. I have so many good memories of us all together there. I think of that time in my life often and can't help smiling. I won't say good-bye, only see you again someday when my time comes and then we'll have eternity to have fun and make more memories. Love you sweetie. Again, I love you all so much and if there is anything I can do, please call me. Sincerely, Linda
I worked with Kathy at the Jewel in Elgin for many years. She was a wonderful co-worker with always a smile on her face. My deepest sympathy to all your family.
You were like a second mom to me growing up, you will be deeply missed by myself, my family, and yours as well! I love you kathy, and i am sure I will see you again one day! You were and still are a gorgeous woman, r.I.p. Kathy,! My thoughts and prayers go to your family.......
Very sorry to hear of your loss, Kathy was a wonderful person. I have very fond memories of her and your family Frank. I pray for you, your children and family that you will find peace. Cherish the memories and know that we will all be together again one day. Sincerely, Carrie
Every day that goes by I have such a hole in my heart for you Mom. What i would give to see you and ask you all the questions i still have and need you to answer for me. I miss you and love you so much.