Obituary for Evelyn "Lynn" Steele
Evelyn C. Steele, or “Lynn” as she preferred to be called, passed gracefully into the arms of our lord on Friday afternoon, February 15, 2019, surrounded by her family.
In her many years on this earth, she built a life of love and self reliance. She married the love of her life, Edward Steele, and together they had two daughters: Laurel and Meryl Lee. They began their life as a family in Chicago, but moved to Arlington Heights in 1961 where Lynn lived the rest of her life. “Ed” passed suddenly in December of 1962, and Lynn was left to raise her two daughters on her own. She supported her family by working first in the admissions office at W.R. Harper College, and then as the bookkeeper at Our Lady of the Wayside parish office in Arlington Heights. She retired in the early 1990's but remained active in the parish for years afterward.
After retirement, Lynn kept busy by gardening, continuing to volunteer in her parish, and working on her home. Her true vocation in life was to be a wife, mother, and homemaker, and she loved her home. She loved to sing, and in her younger years, she would turn the stereo up and sing at the top of her lungs while cleaning her house. A strongly independent woman, but also a lady at heart, Lynn mowed the lawn herself until she was well into her eighties, but did so while in a skirt and nylons. She also did all her home-improvement projects herself, including repainting her living room, ripping up old carpet, and re-wallpapering several rooms. Though health issues took her elsewhere for a few months here and there in her later years, she always insisted on returning to her home, and was bound and determined to stay there till the end, and she did.
Lynn was the beloved grandmother of 5 grandchildren, whom she loved greatly. For every birthday, she labored over picking the perfect card, and writing the perfect note to her grandchildren, always signing “hugs and kisses, Grammie” and writing one“xo” for each year of the grandchild's life. She also called her daughters, and grandchildren on their birthdays every single year to sing happy birthday over the phone to them; a tradition greatly treasured by all.
Lynn is survived by her daughters, Laurel Steele Sandberg and Meryl Lee Steele, and grandchildren: Maye Vaught, Leeanna Pannier (Colin Pannier), Lee Hinkle, Erik Sandberg, and Claire Hinkle. Lynn leaves behind a legacy of generosity, strength, and determination. Though she is no longer here, her family and friends find solace in the multitude of bright and happy memories, and the knowledge that Lynn's was a life well lived.
Visitation Wednesday, February 20, 4:00pm - 9:00pm at Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 333 S. Roselle Road (1/2 mile South of Irving Park Road) Roselle. Thursday, Visitation 10:00am until the time of Mass 11:00am at Our Lady of the Wayside Church 434 W. Park Street, Arlington Heights. Burial St. Joseph Cemetery, River Grove.
For information (630)529-5751.
In her many years on this earth, she built a life of love and self reliance. She married the love of her life, Edward Steele, and together they had two daughters: Laurel and Meryl Lee. They began their life as a family in Chicago, but moved to Arlington Heights in 1961 where Lynn lived the rest of her life. “Ed” passed suddenly in December of 1962, and Lynn was left to raise her two daughters on her own. She supported her family by working first in the admissions office at W.R. Harper College, and then as the bookkeeper at Our Lady of the Wayside parish office in Arlington Heights. She retired in the early 1990's but remained active in the parish for years afterward.
After retirement, Lynn kept busy by gardening, continuing to volunteer in her parish, and working on her home. Her true vocation in life was to be a wife, mother, and homemaker, and she loved her home. She loved to sing, and in her younger years, she would turn the stereo up and sing at the top of her lungs while cleaning her house. A strongly independent woman, but also a lady at heart, Lynn mowed the lawn herself until she was well into her eighties, but did so while in a skirt and nylons. She also did all her home-improvement projects herself, including repainting her living room, ripping up old carpet, and re-wallpapering several rooms. Though health issues took her elsewhere for a few months here and there in her later years, she always insisted on returning to her home, and was bound and determined to stay there till the end, and she did.
Lynn was the beloved grandmother of 5 grandchildren, whom she loved greatly. For every birthday, she labored over picking the perfect card, and writing the perfect note to her grandchildren, always signing “hugs and kisses, Grammie” and writing one“xo” for each year of the grandchild's life. She also called her daughters, and grandchildren on their birthdays every single year to sing happy birthday over the phone to them; a tradition greatly treasured by all.
Lynn is survived by her daughters, Laurel Steele Sandberg and Meryl Lee Steele, and grandchildren: Maye Vaught, Leeanna Pannier (Colin Pannier), Lee Hinkle, Erik Sandberg, and Claire Hinkle. Lynn leaves behind a legacy of generosity, strength, and determination. Though she is no longer here, her family and friends find solace in the multitude of bright and happy memories, and the knowledge that Lynn's was a life well lived.
Visitation Wednesday, February 20, 4:00pm - 9:00pm at Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 333 S. Roselle Road (1/2 mile South of Irving Park Road) Roselle. Thursday, Visitation 10:00am until the time of Mass 11:00am at Our Lady of the Wayside Church 434 W. Park Street, Arlington Heights. Burial St. Joseph Cemetery, River Grove.
For information (630)529-5751.