Mary Louise Worden

Mary Louise (Stemm) Worden, age 88, of Frankfort, Illinois, formerly of Cassopolis, Marcellus, and Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, in Joliet, Illinois.

Beloved wife of the late Frank R. Worden; loving mother of Ellen (Andrew) Allen, Diane (Donald) Grubisich, Cindy (Forrest) Krisco, Beth Bainbridge, and Peggy (Wayne) Bialka; cherished grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of 2.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank R. Worden, her grandchildren Brad VanderZanden and McKenna Bainbridge, her parents, Marjorie Berner Hall and Charles Andrew Stemm, her brother Larry J. Hall.

Mary found joy in life's quiet moments and meaningful connections. She was an avid bird watcher with a deep appreciation for nature, a lifelong bridge player who treasured the camaraderie as much as the competition, and a skilled crocheter and knitter whose hands were rarely still. She poured her creativity into scrapbooks that captured the spirit of family and friendship. A sharp and curious mind, Mary kept up with politics and never shied away from a debate. Some of her favorite conversations about life, family, and how to solve the world's problems were shared over a dirty martini, surrounded by the people she loved most.

But nothing brought her more joy than her role as "Grammie." She traveled far and wide to cheer on her grandchildren, always the proudest one in the crowd. Supporting them, celebrating them, and simply being with them was the truest expression of her love.

The family will hold a private gathering to celebrate Mary's life.