Obituary of Mary Petak

Mary Bernadine Petak (nee Dempsey) Went home to the Lord on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, four days before her 90th birthday. At the moment of her death, she was surrounded by her family and the presence of God was felt. Born on February 6, 1920, Bernadine grew up on a farm in Troy Township, the Dempsey Family being among the first settlers in that area. After graduating from St. Francis Academy in 1938, Bernadine went to work at the Civic Opera House in Chicago. During WWII, Bernadine worked at the Navy Yards in Rockdale. She was a retired employee of the Union National Bank and Trust Company now First Midwest Bank where she worked for over 20 years. She was a former member of the Council of Catholic Women at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Joliet. She was a member of the CCW of the Cathedral of St. Raymond, and the Cathedral Senior Group. She was also a member of the Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Auxiliary, as well as a volunteer at the hospital for many years. She was also a long time Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Salem Nursing Home and Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. On June 28, 1947 Bernadine married her love, Anthony "Tony" Petak, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Anna Dempsey, her brothers, Thomas (late Veronica and late Katherine), Dempsey and Robert (late Joan) Dempsey; her sister, Dorothy (Iate Joseph) Wysocki. She was also preceded in death by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mary (late John) Rezick, John (late Mary) Petak, Tillie (late Donald) Womeldorff Betty (late John) Cankar and Julie (late Joseph) Fitzgerald. She is survived by two sons, Deacon Ed (Bonnie) Petak of Joliet and Bernard (Jean) Petak of Florida. She is also survived by the real joys of her life, six grandchildren, Tammy (Dan) Gosslin, Colleen (Kevin) Koontz, and Julie (Joe) Vitas all of this area, and Jeff, Gina and Janelle Petak of Florida. She is also survived by her precious great-grandchildren, Jacob and Addison Gosslin, Nicholas Koontz and Joey Vitas; many nieces and nephews also survive. Mom was truly the matriarch of our family and her physical presence will be deeply missed. She was a woman with three loves in her life, God, family and church. Because of her deep and abiding faith, Mom now rests in the loving arms of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Funeral Services for Mary Bernadine Dempsey Petak will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2010 on her 90th birthday, at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home chapel to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus for a Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Joliet. Memorials in memory of Bernadine may be made to the Cathedral of St. Raymond or Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. Visitation Friday 2-8 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500