Obituary was lovingly written by her family.

Sister. Daughter. Wife. Homecoming Queen. Friend. Nurse. Adult literacy tutor. Homemaker. Christian. Quilter. Reader. Grandmother. Great-Grandmother. Mom.

That short list would have suited our mom just fine. She was a simple woman, and she would have considered that a compliment. She came from humble beginnings and shared a lifelong bond with her sisters-one that lasted until, eventually, she became the last sister standing. When the sisters gathered, time seemed to stand still. They would talk for hours - often right up until the moment cars were pulling out of the driveway.

She married our dad in 1954, and together they built a solid, safe life. It wasn't fancy, but it was strong, built on hard work, a clear sense of right and wrong, and a steady stream of quiet sacrifices for the three of us along the way.

Mom died on a Tuesday. Ironing Day. For most of our growing-up years, life had a rhythm. There were chores, breakfasts, school lunches packed, and dinner on the table. Mom made that structure happen, day after day, without fuss and without complaint. She organized family gatherings, cared for our grandparents, showed up at our events, and kept the whole operation moving forward with the calm efficiency of someone who simply believed that was what you did for the people you loved.

Mom was stronger than she knew. Twice when life changed the script, she rewrote the next chapter. When the last of us left home, the quiet house was lonelier than she expected. So, she marched herself back to school after a 30-plus-year break to study nursing-and promptly made the Dean's List. Apparently, once you survive raising three kids, anatomy exams aren't that scary.

When our dad died, she didn't retreat from life-she rebuilt it. She made new friends, found new interests, and was rarely without a stack of books waiting to be read-and the sacred Friday hair appointment, which, to be clear, was not flexible. Her hair was her one vanity, and people would stop her on the street to say how beautiful it was. They weren't wrong. It stayed that way right up to the end.

Family was the center of Mom's world. She was devoted, involved, and truly present in the lives of her three grandchildren-Patrick, Jordan, and Christopher. And when a new generation arrived, bringing her three great grandchildren, she felt nothing but gratitude and joy at the blessing of watching her family continue to grow.

Mom also had her priorities straight. She believed dessert was often the best part of the meal, and the dinner dishes were barely off the table before dessert was on.

She was a regular at Culver's, carefully eating as little as possible-because everyone knows you need to save room for a proper turtle sundae.

Cremation arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the DUNN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME with CREMATORY. For information, 630-554-3888 or visit her memorial page at www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com