Joan Marie Masterson
Joan Marie Masterson, age 93, formerly of Lisle; beloved wife of the late John Masterson; loving mother of David Masterson, Diane (Steve) Tillotson, & James (Mary) Masterson; proud grandmother of Chris (Teresa) LeGros, Tyler Masterson, Jaime (James) Serback, Emily Masterson, & John Masterson; great-grandmother of Daniel Leja, Casey LeGros, Matthew LeGros, & Leah Serback; dear aunt of Carol (John) Gilbert, the late Roberta Paganelli, Christine Burger, Vicki (Tim) Vojak, & Bill Paganelli; daughter of the late Joseph and Victoria Zaparty; sister of the late Robert Zaparty, the late Dorothy DiSalvo, and the late Irene Zaparty.
Joan was a vivacious people-person who reveled in being around others. In her prime she was a polka-stomping queen of the dance floor. She loved music (especially singing), movies (especially musicals-particularly Gene Kelly), playing games (penny-ante poker with lady friends), sports (the Cubs), restaurants (she loved being waited on, hated cooking, but was pretty good at it), going out (anywhere-anytime), laughing, hugging (strong hugger). She was almost always the last to leave a party.
She married her Kelly High School sweetheart, John Masterson, and spent nearly 60 years loving him and raising their family together in a newly constructed baby-boom subdivision of Broadview where they formed strong friendship bonds and were ingrained in the neighborly community of Summerdale Drive.
Highly representative of that tight-knit group was the rotating, raucous penny-ante poker club where Joan’s lady friends on the block would meet regularly to howl, laugh, exchange ideas and yes, even play poker.
In addition to running an efficient and happy household, she spent 25 years working for State Farm Insurance, where her people skills were very much appreciated.
Later in life Joan and John traveled the four corners of the world with one long adventurous trip after another.
After John died, Joan miraculously survived a burst aorta and long-shot operation at age 81 that would give her 12 more years among us (and allowed her to see her beloved Cubs win a World Series); and she continued loving her family, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
She had many catchphrases that all who knew and loved her could easily anticipate and repeat;
“You got THAT right.”
“It’s only a game.” (Delivered every time the Cubs lost)
“Evidently.”
“A lot of people don’t care for music…can you believe that?”
“A lot of women don’t like sports.”
“You know, I don’t drive anymore.”
Joan, Mom, Aunty Joanie, Gram, GiGi….will be remembered and missed by all. As her husband wrote so long ago in her high school yearbook…
“…looking at you is like looking at a light bulb. A spot lingers in your eye and that’s all you can see for a while…”
Visitation 4 to 8pm on Monday, November 25 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside, IL. Family & friends will gather for prayers at 10:15am on Tuesday, November 26 from the funeral home. Procession to St. John of the Cross Church will follow for 11am Mass. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joan’s name to the American Heart Association are appreciated. Funeral information: (708) 352-6500
Dave, Diane and Jimmy, I was saddened to hear of your Mom’s passing. What a full life she had with your Dad, with you and with an army of friends. We can consider ourselves lucky to have as much of an impact on the people in our lives as she had. I will always remember you Mom as a kind and loving with a BIG personality and a great capacity for good times with friends and family.
I’m so sorry that we cannot attend the services on Monday. Mary and I will be travelling to Charlotte that morning to spend the Thanksgiving week with our oldest son, Joey.
Kindly accept my sincere condolence for your loss.
– Lance Tortorici
I’m saddened to hear of Joan’s passing. She and John were dearly loved in our Banyan Trace community in Cape Coral, FL. She has been a wonderful friend and I will remember her with a smile on my face….as she would want it. My sympathies to all of her family – you’ve lost a great treasure but she has left you with a treasure trove of wonderful memories and all her love!