Obituary: Catherine Lenore Sommers, 91

Catherine Lenore Sommers of Lake Forest Place, died peacefully and with trust in Jesus on March 9, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois at the age of 91. She was born on November 1, 1926 to Leslie and Catherine (Picchiottino) Olson in Superior, Wisconsin, and grew up in Escanaba, Michigan.

Lenore received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan. She worked at Abbott Laboratories, where she met Armiger “Joe” Sommers of Clarksdale, Mississippi. They were married on September 10, 1949 at St. Patrick's Church in Escanaba, Michigan.

After her children started school, Lenore began teaching chemistry at Barat College and Woodlands Academy, ending her career as a mathematics teacher at Lake Forest High School. She was a wonderful baker and seamstress, doting grandmother, avid bridge player, and active in the Guild of St. Mary.

Sommers is survived by her five children and their spouses: John (Michiko) Sommers, Richard (Elaine) Sommers, Robert (Ruth) Sommers, Mary (Lindley) Specht and Elizabeth (Michael) Pierret. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Michael, Christopher (Lauren), Karen, David (Mary), and Peter (Christine) Sommers, Katherine (Scott) Allen and Theresa Pierret; and two great-grandchildren: Casey Sommers and Armiger Allen. She was preceded in death by her younger sister, Florence Bowers, and Joe Sommers, her beloved husband of 65 years. There will be no visitation.

A funeral Mass for Sommers will be held on Saturday, March 17 at 10 a.m., Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Lake Forest.

Following the mass, there will be a reception at the church parish center. Lenore’s family invites our friends to join us. The interment will follow the reception at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

» via Reuland & Turnbough, for additional service information call 847-234-9649