Darlene F. Bull

Darlene Francis Bull (nee Grybash)
Had a hunger for knowledge that led her on many adventures throughout her lifetime. Even her passing from her earthly life on the evening of May 1, 2025, entailed a final adventure with her daughter, as they traveled to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet, together.
She loved God, her family, Elvis, Polka music, books, gardening, animals (particularly birds and fish), and the outdoors. Over the years, she and her husband, Ed, traveled across the United States, using a trailer camper when their children were young, and to Europe. She was a passionate letter writer and people always knew they would get a card from her marking any special occasion, happy or sad. As an adult, her house was filled with rosaries and images of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Divine Mercy, the mother of our Lord, Mary and Saint Francis. She went on many bus trips with the Illinois Farm Bureau. One of her last pilgrimages was to St Therese of the Little Flower in Darien with her daughter.
The oldest daughter of Nick and Alice Grybash, she emulated her parents by being a giving, caring, sharing woman. She is the sister of Alan Grybash (late), Nancy (Dan, late) Sossong, Roy Grybash, Bernice Cross, and honorary siblings Michael and Robert (late) Segvich and Sister Mary Mark Segvich, OSF.
She was a devoted wife to her late husband, Edwin T. Bull, Jr. and supportive mother to her children, Edwin T. (Theresa) Bull III and Darlene Ann (Jerry, late) Bull-Huston. She enjoyed helping care for her grandchildren from infancy and was very proud of their many accomplishments throughout the years. Darlene has six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, one deceased.
Darlene volunteered as a librarian at her kids' school, St Patrick's in Joliet, in the 70's and relished it so much she went back to school to further her education. First she graduate from Joliet Junior College, then College of St. Francis with a degree in education in 1978, and finally to Rosary College where she obtained a Masters in Library Science and a minor in teaching. She assisted many people as a librarian, rising from Circulation Desk & Reference in 1979 to Circulation & Adult Fiction Supervisor at the Joliet Public Library.
As a young mother, she took her son and daughter to explore several museums, Pilcher Park Nature Center, and other local parks. She never minded how slowly they traveled, following ants and catching (and releasing) tadpoles, toads, crayfish, and turtles as she named the flowers and plants surrounding them. Darlene didn't mind when the fish tanks at home were used to incubate turtle eggs, when frogs hibernated in the refrigerator, or when the main bathtub housed a snapping turtle.
Over the decades, she was a Cub Scout den mother for Pack 228 and Girl Scout leader at St Patrick's School, a greeter at St Patrick's Church, a Boy Scout merit badge counselor for Stamp Collecting, and a magician making beaded poodles at Timbers of Shorewood.
In addition to her other duties, projects, and activities, Darlene substituted in her daughter's home childcare sharing her love of the outdoors and crafts with even more children for about 15 years.
She was a member of: the Business and Professional Woman's Club, Society of American Magicians, Friends of the Library, Kiwanis, International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Will County Stamp Club, Project Acclaim, Community Service Council of Will County, Joliet Alliance for Youth, Joliet Will County Project Pride, Variety Entertainers of Northern Illinois, the New Mazda Mystic Ring, Women of The Elks, and many others. Darlene served as secretary for several of these clubs and was Vice President of the Women's League. She was a staunch supporter of children with disabilities, as we were reminded when we found 10 annual supporter pins.
Her family appreciates how she positively influenced not only their lives, but the lives of all those around her and is grateful for her 81 years of life.
In memory of Darlene and her love for the color red, the family requests friends and family wear something red to the Memorial Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial.
A Memorial Visitation will be held at the Carlson Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home and Crematory, 2320 Black Road, Joliet, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Patrick's Church, 710 W Marion St, Joliet. Inurnment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 200 W Romeo Rd, Romeoville, at which time Edwin and Darlene will be laid to rest together.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Darlene's name to kidney research, diabetes research or Queen of Apostles Parish, St Patrick's Church.