Obituary: Gretchen M. (Grote) Mayall

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

Gretchen M. (Grote) Mayall

Gretchen M. (Grote) Mayall, age 60, of Machesney Park, IL, formerly of Dracut, MA, passed away peacefully with grace and dignity on Friday, August 21, 2026 at her home, surrounded by David, her mother, children, siblings, and grandsons. She bravely fought cancer for over three years. She was born on November 4, 1965 in Milwaukee, WI.

Gretchen’s curiosity and love of education continued throughout her lifetime. She remained committed to her studies until she became ill, most recently attending New England Law in Boston, MA. She earned BS and Master’s Degrees in Finance from Rivier College in Nashua, NH. She also received a Certificate of Paralegal Studies from Boston University. She was a dedicated employee of Fidelity Investments in Merrimack, NH, where she worked for 24 years before retiring in 2022 to pursue her dream of attending law school. Gretchen had a generous heart and loved giving back to her community, volunteering at her church, the local library, and various shelters.

Above all, family was Gretchen’s greatest joy. She treasured time with her children and grandchildren, especially playing with her grandsons. Gretchen’s love of learning, devotion to family, and willingness to help others touched countless lives and she will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her husband of 29 years, David Mayall; her children, Evangeline Stephenson, Sarina (Ryan) Cushing, Arick (Jessie Radke) Stephenson, and Tristan Mayall; two grandsons, Jackson and Elliott “Bubba” Cushing, and her mother, Joyce Grote. Gretchen came from a large family and is also survived by her six siblings,Tammy Burke, Candace Pryor, Belinda Grote (Ray Fonck), Lawrence (Aracely) Grote, Jennifer (Don) McDannald, and Sandy (Dave) Deja. She also had numerous nieces, nephews, and over 100 first cousins.

Gretchen was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Grote, and infant sister, Evangeline Grote.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet, IL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 10:00 am from the funeral home to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Minooka, IL, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Minooka.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to any of Gretchen’s favorite charities: The Friends of the Dracut Library in Dracut, MA (www.dracutlibrary.org); Alternative House of Lowell in Lowell, MA (http://www.alternative-house.org); Team Walk for Cancer Care in Lowell, MA (www.teamwalk.org); Groundwork Shelter (www.justgiving.com); or Rush Presbyterian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (1653 W. Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60612), where her daughter, Sarina received care during her first 43 days of life.

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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