Josephine Margaret "Jo" White

Josephine Margaret "Jo" White (nee Hayes)
Josephine Margaret "Jo" White, age 98, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 24, 2025, in Joliet, Illinois. Born on June 17, 1927, in Long Branch, New Jersey, she was the only daughter of the late John and Josephine (nee Norris) Hayes. A loving and gentle presence throughout her long life, Jo will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Jo was a graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School in New Jersey before moving to Littleton, Colorado in 1962. In 1967, she made her final move to Joliet with her family. She retired in 1994 from Provena St. Joseph Hospital after 25 dedicated years in the medical billing department where she took great pride in her work.
A woman of many simple joys, Jo enjoyed traveling and especially loved to garden, often saying, "I'm not happy unless I have dirt under my nails." Most of all, she cherished time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved watching all kinds of sports and cheering on her favorite teams with enthusiasm. She loved playing catch, even in her late 90's!
Jo was a devout Catholic with a strong and abiding faith. She was a longtime parishioner of the Church of St. Jude in Joliet, finding strength, comfort, and community in her parish life and lived her faith with quiet conviction.
She is survived by her children, Barbara (Fred) Comaduran, Joanne (Bob) Gonda, and Carlton "C.J." White (Carole Cornett); her grandchildren, Lee (Maya) Comaduran, Marc (Olivia) Comaduran, James (Megan) Gonda, Elizabeth (Tom) Nealis, and Jonathan (Brette) Gonda; and her great-grandchildren, Kaileigh (Caleb) Miller, Mackenzie Comaduran, Tobin Gonda, Jonah Gonda, Jace Gonda, Piper Gonda, Izabella Nealis, Alice Nealis, Kara Nealis, Molly Nealis, and Nairobi Gonda. Jo is also lovingly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Carlton J. White; a daughter in infancy; her parents; and her brothers, Jackie, Marty, Buddy, and Jerry Hayes.
Funeral Services for Josephine Margaret White will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Fred. C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the funeral home from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made in her name to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500, or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.