Obituary of Stephanie Marenche

Marenche, Stephanie Marie Age 92, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at her home. Born Stephanie Marie Biegun on January 2, 1919, in Joliet, she was the fifth of seven siblings and last surviving child of John and Mary (Grygiel) Biegun. Stephanie attended St. Thaddeus Grade School and Joliet Township High School Central, leaving school at age 15 to help support her family as a maid at the West Pines Hotel. During World War II, she was employed by the American Can Company. Stephanie married Frank J. Marenche of Rockdale on April 17, 1943. They raised three children and were members of St. Raymond's Parish for 40 years. Stephanie worked as a seamstress at P.J. Gould and Company in Rockdale from 1960, when working moms were a rarity, until 1979. She was a member of the St. Raymond's Mothers Club and the VFW Cantigny Post 367 Auxiliary. In 1985, the couple retired to Apollo Beach, Fla., where she was active in the Apollo Beach Women's Club and relished her daily walks in the Florida sunshine. In 2003, five years after her husband's death, Stephanie moved to Batavia, residing with her daughter and family. Despite the Midwestern winter weather, she continued her daily walks into her 90s. Her motto was, "I'd rather wear out than rust out." She marked her 91st birthday with a two-mile walk in three-degree weather. Stephanie greatly enjoyed sewing, gardening and reading. She was an avid fan of John Grisham and read several newspapers daily. Despite her lack of formal education, she developed an impressive knowledge of politics and financial matters. Stephanie had a strong faith in God, a generous and compassionate nature and a great sense of humor. She was the World's Greatest Mom. Stephanie was preceded in death by her husband; brothers Frank, Michael, and Jacob Biegun; and sisters Valerie Gosack, Charlotte Ward and Antoinette LaManna. She will be dearly missed but will live on in the hearts of her children: James (Lisa) Marenche of Plainfield, Robert Marenche of Redondo Beach, Calif. and Nancy (Gary) Hopp of Batavia; grandchildren Georgene, Jay, Ava and Anthony Marenche and Stephanie and Nicholas Hopp; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral Services for Stephanie Marie Marenche will be Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home chapel to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials in Stephanie's name can be made to VNA Hospice of the Fox Valley. Visitation Wednesday 4-8 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rd., Joliet For information: (815) 741-550