Obituary
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Jul
28
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Blackburn, Giegerich, Sonntag Funeral Home
1500 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435
Send FlowersJul
28
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery
1320 E. Cass St, Joliet, IL 60432
Send FlowersServices provided by
Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home - JolietOnly 4 days left for delivery to next service.
Jerine Ann Di Giulio, 86, passed away on Wednesday July 16th, 2025.
Jeri was born on September 1st, 1938 in Joliet, IL to Palmer and Pasqua Di Giulio. She grew up in a loving Italian American family where education was highly valued. Jeri graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1956, The College of St Francis in 1960, and received a Masters in History from Marquette University in 1962. After graduation, Jeri had a long and distinguished career in Washington D.C. with the Central Intelligence Agency.
During her career with the CIA, Jeri had memorable positions including working on the daily presidential briefings and directly reporting them to George H. W. Bush and as a Liaison with the Office Of Management and Budget. Jeri was also chosen to write a chapter in the book, Stories from Langley: A Glimpse Inside the CIA. Jerine was on the committee that picked the sculpture called Kryptos located on the grounds of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) headquarters.
She retired to the Chicagoland area to be near family and friends. Jeri was preceded in death by her parents Palmer and Pasqua Di Giulio, brothers and sisters in law Dr. Vincent Di Giulio (Rosemary Tarizzo Di Giulio) and Dr. Robert Di Giulio (Dr. Joan Ferry Di Giulio). She is survived by nieces and nephews Kenneth Di Giulio (Cindy Pickworth), Dr. Thomas Di Giulio (Mary Wagner), Barbara Di Giulio Bender (Doug Bender), Kathleen Di Giulio Skov (Steve Skov), Roger Di Giulio (Sandy Newlin), and Katrina Di Giulio. She is also survived by many great nieces and nephews, and dear cousins Dr. Jack Fenili (Barb Blazik), Jeanne (Fenili) Garlitz (Joe Garlitz), and Lori (Fenili) Schroeder (Fred Schroeder).
Jeri started playing the piano in grade school and made it a lifelong passion. Whether playing her grand piano at home or recently her electric piano at assisted living, Jeri excelled in music. Cooking was another passion of Jeri’s. She studied in France at the Le Cordon Blue Institute and took many cooking classes in Italy over the years. A favorite memory was her trip to Italy with her mom. Both Jeri and her mom were fluent in Italian and enjoyed visiting and learning about their heritage in their ancestral home town of Villetta Barrea. Other interests included knitting, her darling cats, and being an avid reader.
Visitation will be Monday July 28th, from 10 - 11 am at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Road in Joliet. A burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local feline rescue shelter or charity of your choosing. The family would like to especially thank Cindy Pickworth for her loving dedication and steadfast devotion to Jeri over the years.
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Read moreJul
28
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Blackburn, Giegerich, Sonntag Funeral Home
1500 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435
Send FlowersJul
28
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery
1320 E. Cass St, Joliet, IL 60432
Send FlowersServices provided by
Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home - JolietOnly 4 days left for delivery to next service.