Obituary of Joyce T. Brandolino
A listening ear, a warm embrace, and bright green eyes full of love, these are just some of the things the family of Joyce T. Brandolino will miss. Joyce passed peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
She was born as Joyce T. Ariagno on December 17, 1942 in Joliet, Illinois, to John and Marie (Giugler) Ariagno, and became the little sister of Mary Ann (Ariagno) Blogg. She attended St. Jude Catholic School, St. Francis Academy and graduated with a bachelor’s degree of Science in Medical Technology. She shared her skills for 33 years at Silver Cross Hospital working in the laboratory as a medical technologist.
Joyce met her husband of 60 years, Raymond Brandolino, through a true meet-cute. Raymond was serving in the U.S. army in Germany when Joyce was in college. He had been writing letters to a friend and one of those letters got lost in Highland Park. Joyce’s sister, Mary Ann, found the letter. She and her friend began a year-long pen pal relationship with Raymond. When Ray finished his tour, he paid Mary Ann a visit out of courtesy. As the family spoke, Joyce walked into the room—their eyes met—they smiled—and the rest is history.
Traditions were deeply important to Joyce. Some of the traditions, which were passed down to her, included a yearly trip to the Sandwich County Fair the week of Labor Day, where she won blue ribbons for her pen and ink sketches, wall art and rich chocolate fudge. This tradition has passed through five generations and still goes on today.
Other loved traditions were shopping at Woodfield Mall and eating under the Marshall Field’s Christmas tree in the Walnut Room.
In the summers, Joyce made a pilgrimage to the Feast of St. Anne, where she attended a special mass, bought blessed candles and always filled the car with gladiolas.
Joyce also started several traditions of her own. As a devoted Cubs fan, she and Ray attended many Cubs games, including the first night game held at Wrigley Field. They regularly went to the Cubs Convention and once traveling to Chicago became more difficult, they started attending the minor league team, the Kane County Cougars, games. Though she brought several guests with her to the games, she enjoyed taking her grandchild Rachel the most. Precious memories were created.
From the time Joyce was born, she was surrounded by greyhound dogs. As a toddler, many times she could be found playing with a furry friend in their kennel. As an adult, she delighted in attending various dog shows and especially loved the agility trials. She and Ray owned two Shetland Sheep dogs who enjoyed long and comfortable lives. Their current dog, Bentley, comforted Joyce during her final year and continues to share his love with Ray.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marie Ariagno; her sister, Mary Ann Blogg; her brother-in-law, Howard Blogg; and her niece-in-law, Carol Blogg.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband, Raymond Brandolino; her two daughters, Melody Reed (Lance) and Diane Ortiz (Raul); her four grandchildren, Rachel Busse (Mike), Emily Reed (Matt), Sarah Reed (Jay), and Travis Ortiz; her four great-grandchildren, Alaina Busse, Clara Busse, Evangeline Busse, and Nathan Busse; her nephew, Roy Blogg, and his two children, Jacob Blogg and Meghan McCreery; and her longtime caregiver, Lois Glover, who is like family.
The family would like to thank Lois and Lana, Friends over Fifty Senior Care (Ross, Lauren and Korinne) and all the home health caregivers (Adrianna, Betty, Tracy, Ellen Mae, and Nuvia) that contributed to her longevity and comfort of life.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association charity. (www.alz.org)
Visitation for Joyce will be Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home 3200 Black Road (at Essington Road) Joliet. Funeral services will be Friday, May 12, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church 18 N. Woodlawn Avenue, Joliet, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Seward Mound Cemetery in Minooka, IL.
For more information please call (815) 741-5500 0r visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence
