Norma B. Reidy

With profound sadness, we are sharing that our mom, Norma Beatrice (Danhelka) Reidy, 85, of Plainfield, Illinois passed away on November 19th at home with family after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Norma was born on July 21, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois to Jerry and Beatrice (Cinatl) Danhelka, two loving and hardworking parents. She attended Eli Whitney Elementary School and graduated from Morton High School in 1957 after moving to Berwyn, Illinois with her family.
Norma is survived by her two daughters, Donna (Todd) Pistolis of Naperville, Illinois and Cathleen (Robert) Janek of Leesburg, Indiana and Naperville, Illinois and her grandchildren, Nicholas Pistolis, Owen Pistolis, Jessica Janek, Luke Janek, and Kelly Janek, her sister Sharon (Frank) Petersen, and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick.
After graduating from high school Norma began working at Goss Industries in Cicero, Illinois. After being a stay-at-home mom for many years, the death of her husband at the age of 39 led her back into the workforce. Thanks to the assistance of the husband of her best friend, Audrey Wiaranowski, Norma was hired at Western Electric in Cicero, IL as a secretary and later moved to Lisle, IL where she worked for 20 years at AT&T before retiring. She also earned her associate's degree from College of DuPage mostly earning her general education credits through CLEP exams.
As a young mom she delved into volunteering for Komensky School serving on various committees and officer roles in the PTA. She also made our bungalow in Berwyn a happy home filled with the smells of her excellent cooking and baking. Norma also meticulously sewed making many of her daughter's childhood clothes, and although her interest in it waned in later years, she once again broke out her sewing machine to make masks during COVID.
First diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the early 1990s, Norma became determined to live a full and meaningful fulfilling life and thus she chose to spend her days doing what she loved most from traveling with her family and friends, playing a challenging game of bridge, spending much time with her family, and occasionally enjoying a nice glass of Scotch. Norma enjoyed many wonderful friendships in her 85 years from her grade school friends, to bingo club and work friends, to her friends at the Carillion in Plainfield.
Christmastime was Norma's favorite time of year. She loved putting up her tree and celebrating with her family. The festivities would begin by celebrating St. Nicholas Day, attending holiday events with her friends, and watching Hallmark movies. Norma hosted a Christmas Eve celebration, an event that included months of planning, countless shopping adventures, numerous telephone calls for the most appropriate gifts, baking an assortment of cookies, and an elaborate dinner celebration. In keeping with her mom's tradition, the night would end with cards passed out to everyone that included checks for some to ensure that everyone received the same dollar amount down to the penny.
Norma was deeply committed to her family and kept up on the latest technology apps to stay connected to her grandchildren. She loved us enough to tell us what we needed to hear and not what we wanted to hear. Norma always made us consider doing what was right and not just was right for us. In return, we could talk with her and discuss just about anything, and she was always receptive to frank discussions and enjoyed spirited debates.
A celebration of Norma's life will be held at Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory 516 S. Washington Street, Naperville, on Friday, November 29th beginning at 10 a.m. with a service at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (Cancer.org.)