Joanne Marie Duebner

Joanne Marie (Centella) Duebner passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at her home on July 8, 2025, just 20 days shy of her 88th birthday. She was married to Gilbert L. Duebner on July 18, 1959, who proceeded her in death on June 16, 2005, at the age of 69. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother of six, grandmother of eight, great grandmother of five (with another due any day), friend, aunt, and cousin. She taught us the love of family and the importance and roadmap to long-term friendships.

Joanne was a true caregiver. She graduated from nursing school at St. Anne’s Hospital, Chicago, in 1958 and worked through 2001 (with some time off to raise her family). Just four months into her nursing career she took care of many burn patients (all children) from the infamous Our Lady of the Angels fire. Upon returning to nursing, she worked many years at an OB/GYN office in Des Plaines, which was next door to the very first McDonald’s restaurant, and then in labor and delivery at Holy Family Hospital helping to bring new life into the world, including her first grandchild.

She was a woman of strong Catholic faith and loved sewing, card games, socializing with friends, gardening, playing piano and singing, especially with the chorus at Sun City in Huntley where she lived from 2000 to 2019. She and Gilbert were touring Arlington National Cemetery (near the Pentagon) the morning of September 11, 2001, and they attended the memorial Mass at the National Cathedral before returning home once planes started flying again. She lived an amazing life full of adventures and love.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Harry and Mary (Adamcyk) Centella, husband Gilbert, and sister-in-law Beverly (Muscari) Centella. She is survived by her children Mark Duebner (Keith M. Cornell), Paula Duebner, Mary (Surapol) Wongkamalasai, Jeannine (Sean) Forbes, Jennifer (Marty) O’Connell, and Joel Duebner; her grandchildren Brian Wongkamalasai, Melissa Wongkamalasai (Michael Monar), Megan Wongkamalasai (Adam Yock), Bobby (Wilemina) Wongamalasai, Kelly Forbes, Brad Forbes, Kyle Forbes, and Samantha O’Connell; her great grandchildren Demian, Desmond, Dorian, Rex, and Lucia; her brothers Larry Centella, and Harry (Jane) Centella, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A big thank you to all her loving caregivers at Ciel Assisted Living these past 4+ years including Sylvia, Anna, Lupe, David, Deniz, Jo, Oksana, Amy, Annie, Elana, Selena, and Micelle.

Her funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish, 33 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 at 10:30 am on Monday, August 4, 2025 (her 88th birthday) with an hour (9:30 am) prior for visitation with the family.

The family requests no flowers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Meridian Palliative and Hospice Care Services, LLC, 3601 Algonquin Rd Suite 305, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, or a charity of your choice.