Obituaries

Nora J. Bihun, 76, of Campton Hills, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 26, 2024, at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.

Born on January 8, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, Nora lived a life full of love, warmth, and compassion. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who touched the lives of everyone she met.

Nora had a passion for many creative hobbies, including needlepoint, cross-stitch, and scrapbooking. Her immense talent for crafts was matched by her keen eye for symmetry and beauty. Among her many pursuits, quilt-making stood out as one of her favorite hobbies—a craft that perfectly symbolized her desire to provide warmth and care for her loved ones. Each hand-crafted quilt was more than just a beautiful piece; it was a testament to her love, wrapping her family in comfort and security, much like the way she lived her life.

Nora is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Thomas, her cherished children, Lisa (Courtland) Funke and Jason (Melanie) Bihun, and her adored grandchildren, Jackson, Tyler, Grace, Charlotte, and Lily. Her legacy of love and kindness will continue through her family and the many lives she influenced.

A personal story from her daughter, Lisa:

My mom was my best friend. I will always cherish the time we spent together. Our first trip together was to Hawaii to celebrate my high school graduation and our last was to Disneyland last summer to celebrate her life and our special relationship. We made so many memories together throughout my 55 years. I am so grateful to be able to look back at all of them lovingly.

I want to thank my mom for instilling a love of reading in me. Growing up, I always remember my mom having a book in her hands. We would call out to her, “Mom, mom, hey Mom?” After a couple of tries, she would finally poke her head out of her book to answer us. My mom loved the works of Jame A. Michener, Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher, who wrote about the importance of family and relationships.

My love of libraries is thanks to my mom, who took my brother and me to the public library all the time, especially in the summer. We spent hours exploring the children’s department as my mom sat by reading a book of her own. I will miss spending time with her and celebrating the important family milestones she was so looking forward to.

A personal story from her son, Jason:

One of my most cherished memories of my mom is from a trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Growing up, my parents took us on many vacations, piling us into the family station wagon and heading out on new adventures. Spring break often meant a trip to Gulf Shores, where I would catch glimpses of a unique side of my mother—one that was free from the constant worries she carried for us, my father, and everything else.

During that memorable trip, we sat side by side in front of the ocean, both of us completely captivated by the serenity and beauty of the waves. As we watched the endless rhythm of the sea, we talked about how we wished we could somehow capture that sense of peace, to bottle it up and carry it with us always. My mom and I often discussed our shared struggle to find peace and calm our minds, something that didn’t come easily to either of us.

Seeing her on vacation, with the weight of her worries temporarily lifted, brought me such joy. I so loved those moments where I could see her truly relax, free from the burdens she often carried. I hope now that her worries are permanently lifted, and she has finally found the peace she so deeply deserves.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) (bcrf.org) in Nora’s memory, reflecting her strong support for the cause. Breast Cancer Research Foundation | BCRF

For more information, please contact Yurs Funeral Home of St. Charles at 630-584-0060

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