Raynice Tadey

1950 - 2021

Raynice (nee Male) Tadey
Raynice (nee Male) Tadey, 71, of Joliet passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at St. Joseph Medical Center with her loving family at her side after suffering through multiple ailments these past 20 years.
Raynice was raised a country girl on a farm in Gardner, Illinois by her loving parents who predeceased her, Raymond & Bernice Male. She loved sharing the stories of her happy youth there with the menagerie of farm animals she turned into her pets including the duck who would follow her to the school bus, the orphaned raccoon her father helped her rescue, the lamb her mother would have to shoo out of the house, & Cawky the crow to name only a few. She also cherished the many cats & dogs she rescued throughout her years. The Rainbow Bridge must have been jam packed upon her passing.
After a house fire in 1963, she moved to town in Dwight, Illinois where she graduated from Dwight Township High School in 1968. There, she was proud of her accomplishments playing flute in the band, being a pompon Trojanette & working as a lifeguard at the local beach club during the summers.
She moved to Joliet to attend Joliet Junior College, graduating with an associates degree in law enforcement after which she spent a spell working as a dispatcher for Will County.
In Joliet, she met the love of her life, Anthony "Butch" Tadey whom she wed in Dwight in 1973. They were married 43 years until his death in 2017, with her missing him greatly these past 4 years.
She adored her role as mother & grandmother, treasuring her only daughter, Angela (Seth) Wilkerson & beloved grandchildren, Henry, Lucy, & Jane who survive her. She was a very involved mom & did everything in her power to make sure her daughter was given the best childhood possible. Raynice hosted the best parties imaginable & was her daughter's biggest cheerleader in everything along with her surviving best friend who was just like her sister, Henny Steinbach of Shorewood. One of Raynice's fondest memories was going as a chaperone with Henny for Angela's pom trip to Paris in 1995 & she also enjoyed their weekends perusing the malls. Butch coined them 'Lucy & Ethel.' Raynice doted on her grandchildren & made sure she called them every night when she couldn't see them in person.
Aside from beloved wife, mother, grandmother, & friend, Raynice loved her role as teacher's aide, serving in many special education classrooms in Joliet District 86 before retiring in 2016. She formed many great friendships there & enjoyed working with children.
A special thank you to Dr. Eileen Heffernan for all the compassionate care she showed to Raynice as her patient over the past 30 years as well as to the doctors at Heartland who helped extend her earthly time.
In compliance with Raynice's wishes during COVID, a small private viewing was held before cremation rites were accorded. Care Memorial in charge of her arrangements. A larger service may be held at a later date. If you wish to do something in her honor, adopt a shelter pet or give a donation in her name to NAWS Mokena or your local no kill shelter. She will be greatly missed.