DELORIS O’CONNELL

Deloris O’Connell, age 86, of Kaneville, walked side by side with her Heavenly Father into everlasting life, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, supported by the love and prayers of her family. She was born in Lovilia, IA, on November 5, 1936, to proud parents, Charles and Dorothy James. Deloris grew up in Lovilia until the family moved to Elburn when she was 6 years old. She attended local schools and graduated from Madonna High School in Aurora, IL with the class of 1955. It was her work ethic and dedication that she took herself through her schooling by caring for the nuns, setting up each meal, living on the grounds and when that final day came and she received her diploma, nobody could have been prouder.  Fate had a hand in Deloris’ life during the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner through St. Gall Catholic Church in 1956, when she happened across the path of James O’Connell. A whirlwind courtship ensued and before long they found themselves at the altar as man and wife. They were united in marriage on October 26, 1957, at the very church in which they met. They began their new life together on the O’Connell family farm in Kaneville. A farming family tradition since 1910, Deloris fell right into the daily routines, walking beans, driving tractors, making lunches (as well as every other meal), and later driving the grandkids around the farm with laughter in her eyes and a joy in her heart. She worked as a secretary at Pines Engineering in Aurora for a time before raising a family became a full time job. Deloris relished her time at home, making sure there was “a place for everything and everything in its place”. No one could keep the house in order like Deloris. Everything she did was done with love and in support of her beloved family. She was a faithful member, Sunday school teacher, and committee member of countless functions at St. Gall Catholic Church, Kane County Women’s Committee, DeKalb County Pork Producers Committee “Porkettes”, PTA of Kaneville Elementary and a long time election judge. Deloris was never idle. She always kept busy with the farm but somehow found time to play in two golf leagues, cut a rug or two as member of the Sugar Squares square dancing club, was a babysitter extraordinaire and managed to never miss any of her children’s activities, not to mention being a fixture in her grandchildren’s lives. She gave the best advice and was always there for a hug and to listen. Everyone was welcome at her table as long as you remembered that you never left her table hungry and always took some for the road, which was never a hardship because her food was always delicious Dozens of cookies disappeared before her eyes when the kids came to call, and her Texas Sheet Cake was peerless. Raucous laughter followed she and her sisters whenever they got together as good times were had by all. Cocktail hour was sacrosanct and an excellent excuse to take in the sunset behind the house. Deloris talked to anyone and everyone and was the repository of countless life stories. Each new friend was a friend for life, but no one meant to her as much as Jim. She looked forward to trips and adventures with Jim, even if it was just a trip to town, but no matter the destination, you know she was “dressed to the nines”, complete with a one pair (out of hundreds) of shoes that finished the outfit perfectly. She loved to travel to St. Thomas and made it an annual trip for more than thirty years. Florida caught their attention and lured them down to the shores and countless flea markets for over a decade, but the trips to Ireland, some with family members in tow, were the stuff of legend.  No matter how many miles were traveled, their tender love was always on display with gentle handholding and looks of devotion, never spending more than three nights apart throughout their entire marriage of 66 years. Her faith was her bedrock and she added to her foundation with daily devotions and would even read The Bible on vacations. Sundays were reserved for church and never missed a Holy day, but she didn’t only worship at the altar of her Savior. Deloris found God in many daily moments and thanked Him from the bottom of her heart for each and every one.  Thousands of memories have accumulated with thousands of friends, and combined with priceless family moments, they have become a legacy of love and legend. She regretfully leaves behind her beloved husband Jim; three children: Jim (Sue) O’Connell, Jeff O’Connell and Elizabeth (Nick) Turk; 5 grandchildren: Amanda (Zack) Fouts, Erich (Noel) Turk, Alex (Cheyenne Fields) Turk, Joe Turk and Mariann (Jared Romano) O’Connell; two great-grandchildren, Luke and Levi Turk; three sisters: Dixie (Dick) Schroeder, JoAnn Cregrier, and Charlene (Vic) Wardlow; many nieces, nephews, and a family of friends who will miss her dearly. She is reunited with her parents, Charles and Dorothy James; two brothers, Larry James and one brother Paul James in infancy who preceded her in death. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Elburn, IL 60119. A Mass to celebrate her faith will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, September 21, 2023, at St. Gall Catholic Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd, Elburn, IL 60119. Interment will follow at St. Gall Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Deloris’ name. Checks may be made to the “Deloris O’Connell Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can find her full life story.

A Mass to celebrate her faith will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, September 21, 2023, at St. Gall Catholic Church, 43W885 Hughes Rd, Elburn, IL 60119.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Elburn, IL 60119.

Interment will follow at St. Gall Catholic Cemetery