Genevieve Marie Ostoich

 Genevieve Marie (née D’Orazio) Ostoich, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, entered eternity on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. She was the life of every party, hostess extraordinaire, devoted friend, and dearly adored “Nonnie” to all who knew her.

Born in Joliet on January 14, 1928, to Vincent and Anita (née Fiori) D’Orazio, Genevieve graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1946. She attended Joliet Junior College and the Vogue Academy of Beauty Culture, and the Burnham School of Cosmetology.

In 1949, Genevieve married the love of her life, Nicholas Ostoich. Together, they raised three children: Dr. Mark (Lyn) Ostoich, Cynthia (Melvern) Rushing, and Dr. Brent (Teresa) Ostoich. For 55 years, they loved one another deeply and unconditionally, until her beloved Nicky went to Heaven in 2004.

She was a devoted mother, taking an active role in her children’s activities and education. She served as a Boy Scout den mother and a Brownie Girl Scout leader. She was awarded a life membership to the National Parent Teacher Association, holding every office at Reed Wood School. She held numerous offices in the Joliet Grade School Band Mother’s Club, Orchestra Parents Club, and the High School Band Parent Association.

Serving her family was Genevieve’s highest calling, but she also enjoyed career opportunities outside of her home. Genevieve’s glamorous, old-Hollywood elegance and beautiful voice led to performing with the Bill Carnegie, Roy Gordon, and Gene Victor dance bands. She headlined as “Toni Lyn” at prominent venues such as the Willow Brook Ballroom, Lincolnshire Country Club, and Lake Shafer, Indiana. She “retired” from performing during her early days of motherhood to devote herself more fully to her family. Gen was a hairdresser and eventually opened a beauty shop in her home. She retired from the First Midwest Bank after 22 years of service and was a past member of the Joliet Business & Professional Women’s Club.

Gen and Nick became “Nonnie and Papa” in 1977 when their first grandchild was born. Nonnie leaves a beautiful legacy through the lives of her 12 adoring grandchildren and 20 great– grandchildren: Christopher Ostoich, Audrey, August Nicholas, Addison; Megan (Matt) Sinning, Genevieve, Daniel, Henry Nicholas, Owen, William, Ryan; Todd (Ashley) Rushing, Camden, Ryan, Hank; Eric (Katie) Ostoich, Zooey; Blake (Allison) Rushing, James and Luke; Kevin (Brittany) Ostoich, Griffin and Hallie; Caroline (Joseph) Corazza, Virginia Genevieve, Rushing, Julia; Nicholas Ostoich, Julia Ostoich, Connor Ostoich, Brent (Holly) Rushing, Madeline Ostoich.

Additionally, Gen is survived by her younger brother Vincent (Connie) D’Orazio, with whom she was blessed to travel the world; six treasured nieces and nephews, Gayle Shimek, Valerie Turpin, Paul Ostoich, Bryan Bakke, Renee D’Orazio, and Thomas D’Orazio.

Her Christian faith was the cornerstone of her life. She loved her church, St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, where she served and worshiped joyfully for more than 75 years. In 2003, Gen and Nick were honored as the Church Patrons–the Kumovi–at the 75th Anniversary of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church. Genevieve spent her days in unceasing prayer for her family and friends, It was well known that her prayers had the “direct line” to Heaven.

Genevieve was overwhelmingly generous and found countless ways to serve the community with her gifts of time, talent, and treasure, especially through her church. She belonged to the Circle of Serbian Sisters and was a past President and member of the St. George Mother’s Club. She blessed the congregation for many years through her singing as part of the Mita Topolovich Choir. Her delicious homemade baked goods were always a hit at the church bake sales!

Genevieve is local royalty–founder and Queen Mother of the Joliet Red Hat Society. She loved these spirited women and took pleasure in hosting and planning adventures and experiences for her red hatters. In 2005, she moved from her home on West Marion Street to the Willow Falls Community, where she lived in her beautiful home for 20 years. She hosted countless tea parties, card games, and festive affairs for friends and family. She also found great joy serving as a volunteer in the Willow Falls assisted living center, giving manicures to “old ladies” to make them feel beautiful. 

Her family will treasure memories of baking Christmas cookies, Italian treats, and homemade pasta with her in the kitchen. She passed her culinary wisdom on to the next generation through her prolific collection of handwritten recipes.

Nonnie delighted in sending and receiving handwritten notes. In recent days, as her vision began to fail, her hand remained steady, and she lovingly wrote Valentine’s Day cards to each of her great-grandchildren. These precious notes found in our mailboxes on every occasion will be missed along with her annual singing birthday-grams, “Birthdays come but once a year…”

Life will never be the same without our vibrant Nonnie, but we rejoice that she is now fully alive in the presence of her Savior, worshipping Him eternally and reunited with her parents and loved ones who preceded her in death, and dancing with her beloved Nicky for all eternity! 

The family is grateful for Father Alex Bugarin and her beloved St. George's church family, who lovingly provided spiritual care during these final days of her life, as well as the devoted neighbors of Willow Falls who treated her with such tenderness and love. We are deeply grateful for the many doctors and nurses who provided exemplary care and adopted her as their own Nonnie. 

The Family will receive visitors on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with Poman at 7:00 pm, at Tezak’s Funeral Home (1211 Plainfield Road). Funeral service will be held at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church (300 Stryker Avenue) on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 11:00 am with burial service to follow at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery (Crest Hill). A mercy meal will follow at the St. George Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests gifts given in Genevieve’s memory to St. George Serbian Orthodox Church or a charity of your choosing.