Obituaries

Joan Teresa Gurga (née Kelly), longtime resident of Saint Charles, IL, passed away on January 18th, 2020.

She is preceded in death by her devoted husband of twenty-two years, Chester S. Gurga (d. 2005), and her loving parents James M. Kelly (d. 2006) and Margaret M. (Smyth) Kelly (d. 2009).   

Joan is survived by her three daughters, Stephanie Teresa Gurga, Natalie Johanna Gurga, and Kimberly Kelly Bianchi (David Andrew Bianchi); her brothers and sisters: Michael J. Kelly (Joan), Mary M. Kelly (Don), Gerald A. Kelly (Maggie), Kathleen M. Green (Warren), Elizabeth A. Kelly, Joseph E. Kelly (Chris), Daniel F. Kelly (Lynn), John P. Kelly, and Fr. James V. Kelly; her nieces and nephews: John Roe, Erin Kelly, Katie Bauman (Phil), Meghan Barlen (Joe), Michael Kelly (Micaela), Christine Zakrajsek (Tony), Sandy Kelly, Brooke Logan (Calum), Taylor Green (Sarah), Trevor Green, Brooklynn Kelly, Matthew Kelly, Laura Aylan-Parker (Pete), Mark Kelly, James Kelly, Jared Kelly, Mara Kelly, Monika Kelly-Havlicek, Kathleen Havlicek, Andrew Kelly (Lisa), Sean Kelly, and their children. She is also survived by Chester’s family: sister Jacqueline Petrocci (Rick), brother Eugene Gurga, her nieces and nephews: Julie England (Michael), John Petrocci (Monica), and Jennifer Polk (Greg), Jack Gurga (Christina), and their children and grandchildren.  

Joan was born in Barrie, Ontario, Canada on February 7th, 1951.  She married Chester on February 12th, 1983. A dedicated mother to her three daughters, she also worked in various positions before pursuing a career as a tax professional for H&R Block, where she worked for over 20 years.  As a Saint Charles resident and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church parishioner for the past twenty-six years, she lived a full life surrounded by wonderful neighbours in the Farmington on the Fox neighbourhood and friends throughout the area. She enjoyed golfing, reading, gardening, book club, dominoes, and singing in the St. Patrick’s church choir.  With a lifelong passion for travel, she enjoyed discovering the world on trips with her close friends and family. A lover of music and the arts, she frequently attended concerts and theatrical shows. She generously supported various music, artistic, and medical charities, and regularly gave blood through Heartland Blood Center and vigorously promoted its donation.

Joan’s family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses at Delnor Hospital, and to Yurs Funeral Home, for their compassionate care and support.  

Joan requested a direct cremation, with casting of the ashes at a private location. Memorials may be given to Jesuit Anishinabe Spiritual Centre in Espanola, ON, or flowers sent to the family home at 35W769 Highview Ct, St. Charles, IL 60175.