Obituary: Geraldine R. Thayer

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.

Geraldine R. Thayer

Age 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Sunday afternoon, August 3, 2025, at Lightways Hospice Home of Joliet.

Geri, a lifelong Joliet resident, was born August 5, 1934, the daughter of the late Mary (Rittof) and James Seeley.

On July 28, 1956, she married Donald Thayer at St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

Geri is the beloved mother of Judy (the late Harvey) Richards, the late Don (Janet) Thayer, Jr., Wally (Dawn) Thayer, Mike Thayer, Dave (Sue) Thayer, Peggy (Rick) Friddle, and Scott (Brandi) Thayer; devoted grandma of 11 and great-grandma of 7. Also surviving are her sister, Sr. Mary Francis Seeley, O.S.F., as well as several sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceded in death by her husband Don Thayer, Sr.; parents, Mary and James (1938); her step-father, Walter Derlinga, and siblings, Patricia (late Joseph) Bakos, Jim (Dorie) Thayer, her twin, Gerald (late Florence) Seeley, and George (MaryAnn) Seeley.

Geri, a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph Hospital for several years, took time off to raise her 7 children. She continued her nursing career at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, from where she retired after many years as the ADON.

A member of VFW Cantigny Post Ladies Auxiliary, Geri was a die-hard Bears fan and parrothead. In her spare time, she loved bowling, reading, crossword puzzles, and cheering for Scottie Scheffler on Sunday afternoons. She was very active and always offered to help any of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The Thayer family would like to offer their gratitude and thanks to the nurses and staff at St. Joe's Hospital and Lightways Hospice.

Visitation for Geri Thayer will be on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 3-8 pm at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) Joliet. Funeral services are at the funeral home beginning at 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning, August 7, 2025, to Holy Family Catholic Church in Shorewood, IL, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be made to Lightways Hospice.

For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.

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