Obituaries

Mary Colette Cornille, “MC” as her family called her, 58, of Elgin, Il (formerly of Glen Ellyn, Il)  gently left this earth to join her mother, Rita and her father, George at 12:07 am on February 25,2024.  A celebration of Mary Colette’s amazing and joyful life will be held on Wednesday, February 28,  2024 at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 East Main Street, St. Charles, Illinois. A gathering to share your  memories of Mary Collete with family will be held from Noon until 3pm with a Celebration of Life  Service starting at 3pm. Messages of condolences may be left for the family at  

www.yursfuneralhomes.com. 

MC was an “angel unaware”. Born to George and Rita Cornille on June 15,1965. She was born  with Down Syndrome and her life exceeded all predicted expectations. When Rita and George brought  her home to Glen Ellyn, they were told she would not “ever roll over, sit, stand, feed herself or  communicate.” My goodness did Mary Colette prove them all wrong! 

Growing up with her ten siblings, MC was raised with the same values, rules and expectations.  She learned to “dish it out” as well as to “take” the teasing and humor that was common in the Cornille  home. From kindergarten to high school graduation, MC grew in life and social skills that gave her  confidence, independence, self-sufficiency and endeared her to everyone she met. Her life mirrored  that of her siblings participating in sports, volunteering, working and getting an apartment of her own.  Through Special Olympics and NISRA (Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association), Mary Colette  participated in a number of sports and was a medal winner in swimming. She especially loved bowling not only in NISRA competition but with her father, siblings, in laws, nieces and nephews. If the CUBS or  PACKERS were playing MC could be found loudly cheering them on in her team attire. 

Mary Colette held a number of jobs successfully working for a hospital cafeteria, Burger King,  Culvers, Kmart and at the Elgin AID workshop. Her smiling face often assisted and greeted customers in  the restaurant dining areas. She reveled in her volunteer work with preschool children; talking with,  assisting and hugging them. Mary Colette loved spending time with her friends and her Lyle house  roommates, as well as, dancing at the annual awards banquet, making latch hook rugs for family  members and singing with Anne Murray. Mostly she loved family time. Her smile was biggest when  together with her Mom, Dad, siblings, in laws and over 25 nieces and nephews. She knew every family  member’s birthdate and was always the first to give a hug when family arrived. Traveling with family to  Disney, Reno, and to the home cities and states of her sisters and brothers created happy and humorous  memories for all involved. Even as Alzheimer’s crept into her life, MC brought joy to visits with friends  and family. 

Mary Colette is survived by her 10 siblings: Laura A. Cornille-Cannady and her husband Randy  Cannady, Lenore A. Cornille (Bob Anderson), David G. Cornille and his wife Cheryl, Jacqueline R. Weigand  and her husband Gary, Keith T. Cornille and his wife Falicia, Elizabeth M. Geerling and her husband  Steve, Christopher K. Cornille and his wife Kelly, Paul W. Cornille (Tina Choi), Daniel R. Cornille and his  wife Kate and Noelle P. Carani and her husband Mike. MC is also survived by 28 nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and numerous loving aunts and uncles. 

Preceding Mary Colete in death was her father George L. Cornille, mother Rita B Cornille, and  her grandparents. Special thanks to all who assisted MC over her amazing life including case workers,  coaches, caregivers, medical professionals and her hospice care providers. 

Everyone who knew Mary Colette would attest that when you received a hug from MC it was  filled with the greatest unconditional love one could ever receive, we all felt blessed. In her honor be an  advocate for kindness and joy. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to: The Adult Down  Syndrome Center in Park Ridge, Il., NISRA (Norther Illinois Special Recreation Association) in Crystal Lake,  Il and AID (Association for Individual Development) in Elgin, Il.

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