Lucille M. Cantu

1942 - 2026

Lucille M. Cantu
Born: March 21, 1942 in Joliet, IL
Died: January 6, 2026 in Joliet, IL
Lucille M. Cantu (née Gerat), age 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Lucille is survived by her children, Christine (Richard) Forkal, Mary "Sweet Pea" (Timothy) Engelman, Thomas (Irma) Cantu, and Gregory (Jennifer) Cantu; her grandchildren, Jonathan (Darcy) Forkal, Jacqueline (Nicolas) Roback, Jessica Forkal, Anthony Cantu, Reed Cantu, Gwendelyn Cantu, and Olivia Cantu; and her great-grandchildren, Beckett Forkal, Quinn Forkal, and Theodore Roback.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Mary (Macak) Gerat; and her brother, Kenneth Gerat.
Lucille was a lifelong resident of Joliet and a graduate of Joliet Township High School. She was a devoted stay-at-home mother who always put her children first. She especially enjoyed sewing and creating costumes for her children's grade school Easter pageants. Later in life, Lucille worked in the floral department at the local Jewel and in the offices at Johansen & Anderson, Inc.
She loved camping, fishing, baking, gardening, and horticulture. There was never an ailing plant she could not revive. She would never turn down the opportunity to enjoy a Joe's hot dog with her granddaughters, and she also enjoyed watching – or simply listening to – football games on her TV.
The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped keep our mom in her home with her beloved dog, Bella. Lucille courageously lived with Alzheimer's disease for the past eight years and passed away due to complications from colon cancer. Special thanks to Nurse Tom and CNA Cindy of Lightways Hospice; to her grandchildren and niece who sat with her; to her neighbors who went out of their way to help; and especially to Liz Engelman, who went above and beyond in caring for her.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Road, Joliet, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lightways Hospice in Lucy's name.