Elizabeth Madura

Elizabeth “Betty” Madura (nee Pesavento), age 94, passed away Saturday, May 3rd at Highland Oaks in Elgin, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan, to Therese & Ferdinand Pesavento, into a loving family of seven children. She attended college at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee. She was a pediatric nurse, at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Orphanage, in Chicago. She married Joseph Madura on November 15th, 1941. The Madura family moved to Crystal Lake in 1955. She worked at The Lunchbox, Michael’s Restaurant, and Neisner’s.

Betty was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandma, “G.G.,” and friend. She was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was a rare soul who was kind and sweet to all she met, and she had a special way with children. She was the mother to nine children, grandmother to twenty-nine, and great-grandmother to thirty-nine. In-laws, neighborhood kids and friends of the family called her “Grandma.” Her family and her faith were the most important things to her. She was a lifelong, faithful Catholic, and truly lived it out. She was a member of The Church of Holy Apostles, in McHenry. She was known for her delicious cooking and baking. She loved dogs, reading, sewing, crafts, gardening, writing letters to her siblings and friends, and playing cards and games with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She found joy in the everyday.

Betty is survived by her brother, Bill, daughters, Connie (Mike) Fraser, Sharon (Gary) Schauer, and Mary Maxwell, and sons, Tom (Judy) Madura, Tim Madura, Bob (Pam) Madura, Rick (Rose) Madura, and Greg (Angie) Madura, her grandchildren and their spouses, and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters (Jeanne, Margaret, & Catherine); brothers (Jack, & Bob); her husband, Joseph “Jerry,” her daughter, Nancy, daughter-in-law, Diana Madura, and son-in-law, James Maxwell.

The visitation will be Thursday, May 8th, from 4-8 pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be at The Church of Holy Apostles, 5211 W. Bull Valley Rd., McHenry on Friday, May 9th, at
11 a.m., where the family will be receiving friends from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. Interment will be private at Crystal Lake Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Betty’s name to Highland Oaks Nursing Home, 2750 W. Highland Ave., Elgin, IL 60124.

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