Josie "Gram" Bendickson
August 7, 1922 — April 30, 2017
Josie “Gram” Bendickson, 94, of Cary, passed away peacefully at home on April 30, 2017 surrounded by love, music (Elvis of course), flowers and those who loved her. She was born on August 7, 1922 in Gibson Hill, Alabama to Burt and Mary (nee Hamilton) Willamson.
She was known to multiple generations as “Gram”, related or not, everyone called her “Gram”. She moved from Arkansas to Chicago in 1955 and made it her home where she raised her three daughters. And after sixty-two years, she still never lost that soft southern accent.
In January of 1940, she married Wyley Ralph in Arkansas. Together they had three daughters, Dorothy, Mary Wylene and Patti Jo. In May 1960 she married Benjamin Bendickson in Chicago.
Gram worked in the food industry her entire career. At the age of seventy, she retired from Carson Pirie Scott in Chicago’s Downtown location after twenty years of service.
Gram enjoyed cheering for her beloved Chicago Cubs. She became a fan upon her arrival in Chicago in 1955 and once again wore her rose colored glasses. She thoroughly enjoyed being able to watch them win the World Series. Gram was also a lifelong fan of Elvis and his music.
Gram will be deeply missed by her loving daughters, Mary Wylene (Douglas) Pennington of Cary, IL and Patti (Luke) Mui of Lake Villa, IL; five grandchildren, Deborah Shrewsbury, Douglas (Stellanna) Pennington, Jr.; Bobby (Pamela) Murata and Nicole (Rick) Murata-Santino; nine great-grandchildren, Shauna, Haley, Tyler, Teagan, Alyssa, Ryan, Maddie, Ashton and Taylor; one great-great-granddaughter, Pamela Jo. Many extended family members and special friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Dottie Larson; granddaughter, Michelle Pennington; her parents and eight siblings.
Gram’s family would like to extend their gratitude and give a special thanks to all those associated JourneyCare Hospice. You are a special group of individuals.
Visitation will be Friday, May, 5, 2017, from 4 PM until 9 PM and resume on Saturday, May 6 from 10 AM until the 11 AM funeral service at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Rte. 176), Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines.
Donations in Gram’s name may be made to JourneyCare Foundation, 2050 Claire Ct., Glenview, IL 60025.