1945
Diane
2017
Diane Puma
July 24, 1945 — April 13, 2017
Diane Puma, 71, a longtime resident of Crystal Lake, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington, two-and-a-half years after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was born July 24, 1945 in Hammond, Ind. to Walter and Eleanor (nee Bartnik) Kasper.
Diane grew up in Hegwisch and East Side in Chicago and attended St. Francis de Sales grade school and St. Willibrord High School. She attended Northern Illinois University and left just before graduating to teach in the Chicago Catholic schools. On October 16, 1966, she married Robert Puma and they enjoyed over 51 years of marriage. She left teaching to raise her three boys. She returned to work when her sons were older, serving as the principal's secretary at Crystal Lake South High School for 25 years, a job she truly loved.
Diane spent thousands of hours watching her sons' sporting events and made life-long friends while sitting in the bleachers. She was a huge Notre Dame football fan and, with Bob, attended almost every home game for over 20 years. Diane cherished the times she watched her grandchildren's performances and sporting events. She loved spending time with her family, cousins and friends, especially when it meant having a home-cooked meal or going out to eat.
Upon retiring, she spent the winters in The Villages, Fla., where she avoided the cold weather and hosted family and friends. You always knew when Diane was around because you would be sure to hear her infectious laugh which filled the room.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Puma; her children, Scott and his wife Lisa, David, and Jeff and his wife Amy; her grandchildren, Hannah, Josh, Jackson, and Evelyn; her brother, Len Kasper (Carol); her sister-in-law, Sheila Pietrie (Joe) and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Eleanor Kasper; her in-laws, Salvatore and Sally Puma; and numerous aunts and uncles.
The family will receive guests from 3pm to 9pm, Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Rt. 176), Crystal Lake. Prayers will be said at 10am, Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at the funeral home, proceeding to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave. (Rt. 176 and Oak St.), Crystal Lake, for Mass at 10:30am. Burial will be held at Windridge Memorial Park in Cary.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Diane's name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org.
Diane grew up in Hegwisch and East Side in Chicago and attended St. Francis de Sales grade school and St. Willibrord High School. She attended Northern Illinois University and left just before graduating to teach in the Chicago Catholic schools. On October 16, 1966, she married Robert Puma and they enjoyed over 51 years of marriage. She left teaching to raise her three boys. She returned to work when her sons were older, serving as the principal's secretary at Crystal Lake South High School for 25 years, a job she truly loved.
Diane spent thousands of hours watching her sons' sporting events and made life-long friends while sitting in the bleachers. She was a huge Notre Dame football fan and, with Bob, attended almost every home game for over 20 years. Diane cherished the times she watched her grandchildren's performances and sporting events. She loved spending time with her family, cousins and friends, especially when it meant having a home-cooked meal or going out to eat.
Upon retiring, she spent the winters in The Villages, Fla., where she avoided the cold weather and hosted family and friends. You always knew when Diane was around because you would be sure to hear her infectious laugh which filled the room.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Puma; her children, Scott and his wife Lisa, David, and Jeff and his wife Amy; her grandchildren, Hannah, Josh, Jackson, and Evelyn; her brother, Len Kasper (Carol); her sister-in-law, Sheila Pietrie (Joe) and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Eleanor Kasper; her in-laws, Salvatore and Sally Puma; and numerous aunts and uncles.
The family will receive guests from 3pm to 9pm, Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Rt. 176), Crystal Lake. Prayers will be said at 10am, Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at the funeral home, proceeding to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave. (Rt. 176 and Oak St.), Crystal Lake, for Mass at 10:30am. Burial will be held at Windridge Memorial Park in Cary.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Diane's name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org.
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