Kathy (Tekel) Giaudrone

Kathleen “Kathy” Giaudrone (nee Tekel), 55, of Joliet passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, surrounded by her family. Kathy was born on November 5, 1966.  She was the daughter of Benedict and Marie (Umek) Tekel.

Kathy attended St. Mary Nativity Catholic Grade School, St. Francis Academy, and St. Joe’s College of Nursing, Joliet, where she earned her nursing degree in 1987. After graduation, Kathy worked as a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital for the past 35 years and received countless recognition for her service and dedication in nursing.

Giving is what Kathy’s calling was as a wife to her husband, as a mother to her three children, as a caregiver to her parents, as a best friend to her sister, as a nurse to her patients, and as a friend to anyone. Kathy treasured spending time with all her family who loved her dearly. She enjoyed many years of cooking countless meals for her family. Her favorite pastime was simply sitting on her patio listening to the birds singing and admiring her flowers and knick-knacks. Her family and friends will remember Kathy’s big heart and her generous spirit of giving.

Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of 31 years; Dwayne Giaudrone.  Loving mother of Michael, Matthew, and Megan. Devoted daughter of Ben Tekel. Beloved sister of Mary (Norm) Nemanich. Also surviving, mother-in-law, Nora Giaudrone, brother-in-law, Doug Giaudrone, Jr., niece, Natalie Nemanich, and nephews, Nicholas, Nathan, and Nolan Nemanich; Adam and Eric Giaudrone, fond uncle, Don McGary, dearest friend, Cindy Schultz, and numerous cousins and precious friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Marie Tekel (2021), her grandparents, Anton and Mary Umek and Carl and Mary Tekel, her father-in-law, Douglas Giaudrone, Sr. (2014), her nephew, Andrew Giaudrone (2011), her uncles, Rudy Umek, Anthony (Glyndal) Umek, Edward (Elizabeth) Tekel, and Earl McGary, Jr. (2021).

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Saturday, June 25, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until time of closing prayers beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. The funeral will then drive in procession to St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:00 a.m. Private interment will follow where Kathy will be laid to rest at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Kathy’s name to your favorite charity.