Theresa Marie Freeman-Tutaj

Theresa Freeman-Tutaj was born in Chicago on February 19th, 1964 to Ronald and Patricia Freeman (nee: McLaughlin). She was a life-long resident of Wildwood and Third Lake.

Theresa was married to James Tutaj and shared 32 wonderful years of marriage. She was mother to Jerome, Veronica, Maggie, Devonte, Erin, and Emma. She raised her children with love and devotion in Third Lake.

Theresa was a life-long member of St. Gilbert Parish. She graduated from Carmel Catholic High School (1982), Marquette University (1986), and The John Marshall Law School (1990). Theresa practiced as an attorney in Chicago, Lake, and McHenry Counties for 30 years, eventually opening up her own practice with her husband in Grayslake.

Theresa loved the lake life. She spent countless hours on the water, skiing, swimming, and pulling the kids and their friends around the lake on the “Tube of Terror”. Her favorite water sport, however, was floating in the lake with her favorite beverage accompanied by friends and family.

Theresa was a whole-hearted believer in public service. Beginning in high school, she served as school class president at Carmel Catholic High School, and she continued in student government at Marquette University. Even while practicing law and raising her family, she remained active in her community by serving as School Board President and Athletic Director at St. Gilbert School, Confirmation Leader, Prayer Group Organizer, and Vacation Bible School Leader at St. Gilbert Parish.

Other than being a mom, her greatest pride and satisfaction was practicing law. She loved being a litigator and spending time in Court. However, it wasn’t the blistering cross-examinations, Courtroom confessions or large settlements and verdicts that made her happy, it was the many new friendships that she made with the lawyers, Judges, and clients that she had the honor to meet, work with and represent throughout the years.

She is survived by her husband James, and her six children Jerome, Veronica, Maggie, Devonte, Erin, and Emma. Her parents, Ronald and Patricia Freeman, her siblings Margaret and James Pilling, Ronald and Lisa Freeman, in-laws Jerry Tutaj, Jeanie and Robert Peashey, Margaret and Dan Dougherty, Thomas and Colleen Tutaj, John and Graciela Tutaj and many loving nieces and nephews.

Wake services will be held at Marsh Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 7th from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial for Theresa will be at St. Gilbert Catholic Church on Thursday, September 8th at 11:30 am with burial to follow at Ascension Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association can be made in Theresa’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MarshFuneralHome.com for the FREEMAN-TUTAJ family.