Joyce Brunot Obituary

Brunot, Joyce Eva Ilett

Joyce Eva Ilett Brunot passed away peacefully on July 22, 2022, just two weeks before her 90th birthday. Joyce was a loving mother to three children and beloved wife of Richard (Dick). Born in 1932 in Indianapolis, IN, to Charles B. and Roxy Ilett, and joining sisters Charlotte Ilett and Marie (Ilett) Coffey, Joyce was deeply influenced by a loving, caring, and creative family, qualities which served as a foundation for the kindness she extended to everyone and which she generously passed on to her three children. A talented visual artist, Joyce graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1950 and returned the following year to teach art classes and guide Art Club students through painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture. Joyce and Dick were married in 1955, first settling in Chicago and then moving to the western suburb of Western Springs in 1962 where she dedicated herself to raising her family, sharing her creative talents and love of the fine arts with them. Joyce continued her education at North Central College in Naperville and maintained a successful career as Director of Christian Education at the First United Methodist Church of Western Springs, IL, and Highlands Presbyterian Church in LaGrange, IL, where teaching children the stories of Jesus Christ was one of her greatest joys. She was a gentle force, instilling invaluable qualities of faith into the lives of everyone she touched. In addition to her many drawings and paintings, Joyce enjoyed classical music, antiques, books, and chocolate, and traveled abroad with Dick to visit museums, galleries, and historical sites. Our dear Joyce is now an angel in heaven, and we feel her love and warm presence in rainbows and butterflies. Joyce is survived by her husband Richard, daughters Susan (Wayne) Schindler and Sharon (Rich) Speziale, son Ron Brunot (Kathy), grandchildren Christopher Schindler (Emily), Eric Schindler (Angie), Heather Schindler, Patricia Schindler, Kara Brunot, and Michael Brunot, and great-grandchildren Violet, Ava, Thalia, and Oliver Schindler. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 3:00 pm at Highlands Presbyterian Church, 1902 W. 59th Street, La Grange, IL 60525. All are welcome to a reception at the church following the service. Memorials may be given in honor of Joyce to Highlands Presbyterian Church, www.highpres.org.

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