Grace Ann (nee Gozder) Simonaitis, of Elmhurst, IL, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025, a handful of months after the passing of John, her dearly beloved husband of 65 years. Grace was born in Chicago on April 23, 1938, and belonged to St Clare of Montefalco Catholic Church where she married John on June 13, 1959. Grace was the core of our family and the kindest, most gracious person anyone could know.
Grace will be deeply missed by her children Mary (Thomas Jr) Sanders, Ann (JimYarbrough) LeRose, Susan, John III., Alice (Steve) Miller, Diane, and William (Kathleen) Simonaitis; her grandchildren Claude (Emily) LeRose, Catherine (Slaton) Hoffner, David Nelson, Kate Sanders, Patrick Simonaitis, Ruth (Scott) Moore, Bennett (Jordan) Sanders, Carly, John, Parker and William Simonaitis, Luke Sanders, Tyler and Nicholas Miller; and her great-grandchildren Graham and Hudson LeRose, Henry and Harrison Hoffner, Elliott Sanders and baby Sanders due soon. Grace was predeceased by her cherished husband Dr. John Jr., her parents William and Stephanie, nee Czesnakowski, Gozder, and her dear brother Charles (Geraldine) Gozder. Grace is the dear sister to Paul (the late Christine) Gozder.
Grace had a special dedication to the wellbeing of children and loved her own children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with all her heart. Grace also believed in keeping the family unit strong with regular phone calls, visits, cards, and meals. She was ready to listen to hopes, dreams, and setbacks, often offering strategies for success. Her gentle smile encouraged everyone to feel noticed for exactly who they were in life. Her humor and seemingly endless concern about being fair helped everyone feel accounted for and included. Grace prayed the rosary every day, and her moral compass was faith. She was a full-time mother, yet she also served on various boards and volunteered regularly, often in leadership roles. She eventually co-owned a travel agency. Grace and her beloved husband John were partners in parenting as well as travel, always ready to visit new places and people. After John retired, they spent many years visiting family, attending Mass, going to the park to eat lunch while watching children at play, and savoring the peacefulness of their time together.
Visitation on Thursday, July 24, 2025, 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, Elmhurst, IL. On Friday, July 25, 2025, all friends and family are welcome to a Mass of Christian Burial, 10:00 a.m., at Visitation Catholic Church, 779 South York Road, Elmhurst, IL. Immediate family is invited to gather at Gibbons Funeral Home on Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. to close and escort the casket to the church. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or http://www.cancer.org online. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com.