Pamela A. "Pam" Dukovac

Pamela A. “Pam” Dukovac (née Miller), age 68 and a lifelong resident of Joliet, IL, passed away unexpectedly at Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet on November 7, 2026. She was born to her father James V. Miller Sr. and mother Doris Miller (née Herro) in Joliet on June 12, 1958.

There are some people who simply cannot be described with the usual words, and Pam was certainly one of those people. She had a quick wit and a sarcastic sense of humor. She was known for speaking her mind, often leaving people speechless, and had a vocabulary that occasionally required editing for family-friendly audiences. After thirty years of employment as a cashier at Jewel, she retired to spend more time at home with her younger daughter Emily, and to help care for her granddaughter Abby. She had a soft spot for animals of all kinds. Cats, dogs, and even the outdoor squirrels she faithfully fed knew they could count on her. Her beloved dog Gizmo held a special place in her heart, and her cat Milo remains as a cherished member of her life. She leaves behind memories, stories, and laughter. She will always be missed, remembered, and loved for exactly who she was.

She was preceded in death by her parents James Sr. and Doris Miller, and her daughter Emily Dukovac.

Pam is survived by her daughter Melissa (Jim Santangelo) Whitaker; her son Eric Bailey; her grandchildren Abrielle Whitaker, Damien Bailey, and Ariyah; her brother James (Mariann) Miller Jr.; nieces Melanie (Lucas) Phelps and Lindsay (Lex) Gordon; as well as numerous extended family members, dear friends, and other loved ones. She will also always live on in the heart of Mario Dukovac, with whom she shared 38 years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, any donations offered in Pam’s honor can be directed to either of her children, Melissa Whitaker or Eric Bailey, to be used to offset the costs of her unexpected passing with any surplus being designated to one of Pam’s favorite charities.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a Chapel Service scheduled for 7:30 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. Cremation rites will then be accorded, and Pam will be inurned on Monday, November 16, 2026 after a Graveside Committal Service at Saint Mary Nativity Cemetery, 601 Caton Farm Rd. Crest Hill, IL at 11:00 am, when she will once again be reunited with her late daughter Emily.