Joan Wert, nee Damore, of Riverside, age 93. Loving mother of Lawrence (Julia) Wert, Terri (Kevin) Tabor and Scott (Lina) Wert; proud grandmother of Christopher (Becky) Tabor, Kathryn (Thomas) Cronin, Stephen (Emily) Tabor, Kristina (Matthew) Moheban, Bryan (Caitlyn) Tabor, Sara Wert, Joanne (Nick) Falk, Charles (Alicia) Wert, Gianna Wert and Ava Wert; great-grandmother of 12; dear sister of John (Joyce) Damore; preceded in death by her siblings Sally (late John) Jeske, Rose (late Lewis) Casassa, Rochelle (late Clifford) Faust and Linda (late Ross) Patten; proud aunt of many.
Joan Damore Wert came into this world in Riverside on December 15, 1931 — and nearly 94 beautiful years later, she peacefully departed from the same beloved town she always called home.
Joan’s life was full of love, laughter, and resilience. A proud graduate of Hauser Junior High and Riverside Brookfield High School’s Class of 1949, she went on to raise three wonderful children — mostly on her own — and her family continued to grow to include ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her endless joy.
Joan took great pride in her children’s accomplishments: Larry, who became President of the Tribune Media, NBC5, and The LOOP; Terri, who founded and owns Salon D’Amore in Riverside; and Scott, who worked as a sales manager at WFLD-TV.
Joan herself never slowed down. She worked as a real estate agent at Burlington Realty — still dabbling well into her 90s — and also spent time in electronics sales and as a hall monitor at Morton West High School.
Born into a large and lively family, Joan’s roots ran deep. Her mother, Theresa Latoria Damore, was the eldest of twenty children — a family honored by the 1933 World’s Fair as the “World’s Largest Living Italian Family.” Her brother, John Damore, proudly played for the Chicago Bears and was Captain at Northwestern.
When she wasn’t working or spending time with loved ones, Joan could be found on the golf course or laughing over a good game of Farkle with her dear friends.
In a recent interview, Joan reflected on her life in Riverside with her trademark warmth: “It’s been a wonderful life here. I would recommend this town to anyone. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family.
Family and friends will be received at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester on Friday, October 24, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All to meet Saturday at St. Mary Church, 105 Herrick Rd., Riverside for a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Center for Independence Through Conductive Education , an organization that has benefitted Joan's great-grandson, Lincoln Tabor, are appreciated. For funeral info 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L.
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