Obituary: Misty D. Resco

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

Misty Resco

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Misty Dawn Resco, a beloved mother, daughter, partner, and friend, who left us before we were ready at the age of 56.

Misty leaves behind, to cherish her memory, her parents, Gloria and Stephen Resco; her brother, Daniel Resco; her children, Michael Ryan Smith (Rachel Maley) and Savannah Lauren Smith (Mark Andersen), whom she loved unconditionally and supported fiercely throughout their lives. No one could deny that she was and always will be their biggest supporter and fan. She affectionately referred to Shelby Noel Walker (Ryan Schay) as her bonus daughter whom she loved as her own. She shared her life and desire to travel the world (which they did at any chance they could!) with her loving fiancé, Lt. Raymond Hemphill, and their warm and lively home was completed by the company of her greatly loved pets Bella, Kai (her spirit animal), Sam, Lyric, Dolce, and Lazarus. Outside of the home she’ll be remembered by her niece, Mia; great nephew, Stephen; aunt, Nancy; uncle, Jerry; cousins, Lisa, Johnny, and April; and a host of friends. She’s preceded in death by her Uncle Jack and cousin, Brian Lisula.

Misty will be remembered most for her kind heart, sharp wit, intelligence, and outgoing personality. She brought the life of the party wherever she went and never turned down a chance to have a good time, surrounded by her kids, lifelong friends and family. She left an indelible mark on the lives she touched. While her life on Earth with us was far too short, she very unapologetically lived her life to the fullest, fearlessly, and without regret, while devouring each moment in her grasp. She brought a spitfire attitude to the room and commanded respect from those around her. Never was an obstacle too great or a designer bag too far out of reach. Her vivacious spirit left many in awe and her passion left anyone else speechless.

Misty greatly valued her education and was a proud member of the National Honors Society. She graduated with her Bachelors of Arts (BA) in Psychology at St. Xavier University, and was finalizing her Masters of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with specialty in addictions (CADC) at Lewis University. She devoted her time and studies on mental health awareness and autism and was looking forward to resuming classes in the Fall.

She will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her spirit lives on in the hearts of her parents, brother, children, fiancé, and all who had the honor of knowing her. In her own words she will be remembered as “fearless and feral” and she’d want others to know they too should demand that level of respect from the world.

Please join us to celebrate the life and memory of our very own legend. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Misty’s memory to the organization she worked for Association for Individual Development (AID) in support of mental health.

Funeral Services for Misty Resco will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL. Visitation will be held at the funeral home chapel on Monday, August 11, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Due to her request, cremation rites will be accorded following services.

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.

“You deserve the love you keep trying to give everyone else. The bad days are only temporary. You don’t have to control your thoughts, just stop letting them control you.” – Misty Dawn Resco

· Visit Fred C. Dames on Facebook

· Order Flowers

· Healing Resources