Obituary of Joanne Adler

Joanne M. "Jodie" Adler (nee Biddle) Age 82. At rest Friday, July 4, 2014. Jodie has made the gift of her body to science. We are thankful that she is going to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she received her artificial heart valve four years ago. She was born November 26, 1931 in Chicago, IL to the late Mildred (nee Ward) and Harry Biddle. Survived by her husband of 62 years, Joe; brother Ward Biddle. C.P., Passionist Order serving in Japan since 1957; sisters, Jackie (late John) Berg and Mary Kay (late John) Aisthorpe; sister-in-law, Mary Beth (Dr. Arthur) Wilhelmi. Loving and devoted mother of 7, grandmother of 22 and great-grandmother of 5, Dan and family- Jake (Megan), Rachel (Robert) Ayoung Chee, Emma, Josh and Nathan; Teddy (Ray) Finney and family- Bridget Thomas (Brad) and their children, Izzy and Ellie, Emily (Nanasei) Agyemang and son Finney, Jenna (Brian) Murphy and daughter Mary; Jackie (Sam) Tucci and family-Sam, Tony and Jeff; Chris (Lori) and family- Meghan (AJ) Vivaldelli, Matt, CJ and Sarah; Mike (Joanne) and family- Kelly, Mike (Caitlin), Erin (Dave) Skaggs and Collin; and Jay (Patty) and family- Jenny, Joe IV (Elisabeth) and son Joseph V., and Jon. Jodie was also blessed with additional children, Mardo Caceres and Joy Basilisco. She was an inspirational aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her daughter, Margaret Mary and brother-in-law, Jack (Dorothy) Adler. Jodie attended St. Hillary (Chicago), Immaculate Conception (Morris), Morris Community High School, St. Francis Academy (Joliet), St. Mary's College (South Bend), and the University of St. Francis (Joliet). Original staff of TV station WABI (Bangor, Maine), the first station north of Boston. She volunteered at the Shady Oaks Cerebral Palsy summer program, worked with the early childhood development program at the Encyclopedia Brittanica Center at the University of St. Francis (Joliet), and founded Fountainview Banquet Center, a special site for many different events. She was a member of Sacred Heart Parish (Joliet) and Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community (Sarasota). With Joe, founding host couple of the Young Christian Nurses Association of Joliet, regional directors of the Christian Family Movement, co-founders of Joliet's Spanish Center along with regional members of the Christian Family Movement, member of the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Chicago, as well as a long-time member of the Visitation and Aid Society. Jodie was known for her extraordinary skill of creatively assembling words in so many different ways. Jodie always had the hope and the dream that the inequities and injustices that surround us could be lessened by each person in their lifetime. She believed that practicing ones' religion is not just a "churchy" matter, but should be part of daily life. A Memorial Mass to celebrate the life of Jodie will be held at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Avenue, Joliet, on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. With the love and strength gained from Jodie's liturgy at St. Raymond's all are invited to proceed at the conclusion of Mass to Local 176 (Electrician's Hall), 1100 N.E. Frontage Rd. in Joliet for visitation and a celebration in the spirit of hospitality and caring that Jodie gave to so many over the years. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to Will County Habitat for Humanity, 200 S. Larkin Ave., Joliet, IL. 60436, would be greatly appreciated. For information (815) 741-5500 or www.fredcdames.com