SHIRLEY MAE D’ADDIO

Shirley was born in Chicago Illinois to Elmer and Stella Weltz, along with her older brother Richard. Her life span saw changes to which she adapted and thrived.

During the Great Depression Grandpa Dolensky along with one of her Aunt and Uncle lived with them in their home during the week so that her Uncle could work then on the weekend they would go back to their farm in McHenry Illinois. Their home had only two bedrooms, Richard slept upstairs in the attic converted to sleeping quarters with his Grandpa and Shirley slept on a cot in the dining room. 

Shirley’s Junior and Senior year in High School she decided to attended Jones Commercial High School where she studied Bookkeeping, business law along with business machines.  This was the beginning of her career as a bookkeeper for many companies large and small. I recall when she went to work for McDonalds’s Corporate Headquarters in Oakbrook Il, she was required to work two weeks in a restaurant as required of all employees of the Corporate Office.  It gave her an understanding of the business of burgers, fries, and milkshakes.  Mom also enjoyed a Big Mac and chocolate shake.

After graduation from Jones, she went to work at Checker Cab where she met new friends, Shirley had a warm personality and beautiful smile which made making friends easy.  One evening after work they decided to go dancing at the Aragon Ballroom where she met Rudolph D’Addio her future husband.

They were on married May 27^th 1950 at St Ann’s Episcope church.  They truly had an unconditional respectful love for one another.  Their partnership in raising their four children was united.

After they married, they moved in with Shirley’s parents and lived there until after their first child Michael was born. Oh, how Grandma Weltz loved having “her Michael” there the beginning months.  Then they moved to an apartment flat above Rudy’s parents Vincenzo and Maria D’Addio on Glady’s Ave. also in Chicago this is where daughter Claudia was born.  They moved into their first home in Hillside Illinois in 1956 and at that same time welcomed their daughter Theresa. In 1959 Christine their third daughter and fourth child was born. From there they moved to Glen Ellyn and remained there until all of their children had finished school.   Then in 1986 they moved on to Elburn a much farther west suburb of Chicago. They were welcomed by friendly neighbors and the community. They were excited to watch the cycles of farming, they lived across the road to a farmer’s field.  Elburn was also a shorter drive to their beloved Lake Como and Lake Geneva Wisconsin.  Shirley and Richards father and Grandfather built a cabin on Lake Como, Elmer was an avid fisherman and water fowl hunter.  They would spend their summers at Como, since their Mom, Stella never learned to drive, their Dad would take them all up to Como, he would return on Sundays to the city to go work and return the following weekend this would go on for weeks at a time. There was a Tavern/General store across the street called Binders were they could purchase needed items along with ice cream treats. Shirley being strong swimmer decided one year to swim across Lake Como and back with her good friend. She loved Como.

1994 was the move to Phoenix Arizona, they had been Snowbirds there for a few years. Christine and her Husband Gary lived in Phoenix, so in 1994 they decided to move there and purchased their home in the Ahwatukee Foothills near South Mountain. They loved that home and southwest weather, wild life and plants.  The pride of her yard was her saguaro cactus. When it would bloom she would save the spent blossoms and keep count. I believe she had over 80 blossoms one year.

After Rudy passed away in 1999 Shirley decided to volunteer at Y-OPUS (YMCA’s Outreach Program for Ahwatukee Seniors). She would drive individuals were unable to drive to doctor or dentist appointments.  Many years later she had them to drive her a few times to appointments if Christine was out of town.  She also joined the exercise classes at the Y and made many new friends that were also widows.  Oh and her Monday morning coffee meet up with her friends at the local McDonalds. They would meet for coffee and a McMuffin and hours of talk, always at the same table.  Until one morning a group of men who arrived there earlier than they did and sat at “their” table.  After this happened a couple of times the ladies asked the staff to reserve their table they were told, we do not reserve tables. They finally decided to designate another table 😊

Shirley always looked forward to her yearly trips to the Midwest to visit children catch up on her growing Great grandchildren, and grandchildren, she has been blessed with 11 Grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren with number 24 almost here.

Shirley was a kind and thoughtful and gentle lady, if a new family moved into her neighborhood, she would bake them a cake and welcome to the area.  One time when Claudia went on a vacation to visit Christine and her family, Shirley and Rudy were in charge of Claudia’s three children and their very pregnant dog with the instructions that the children knew what to do! Well, when the time came for delivery Mom did it all with the help of the mother dog.  Shirley always was the first to offer help and assistance.  

She was healthy and active up until her last few months. She was loved by the staff of Clearwater where she spent her last months.  So many of the staff came to us with stories of Mom and some had tears in their eyes.

Shirley Mae joined Rudolph on Valentine’s Day 2023, She will be remembered and missed for years by her family and friends.

Her family will hold a visitation in her honor on Saturday February 25, 2023 at 11 A.M. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A service to follow at the funeral home at 12 P.M. Procession will follow to Garfield Cemetery after the service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Shirley’s name. Checks may be made to Hospice of the Valley 1510 E Flower St., Building 2, Phoenix, Arizona 85014.  Tributes may also be forwarded to the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.