Susan Marie Perez

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Susan Marie Carew Perez, 81, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 29, 2024. Born October 29, 1943, Susan’s days were filled with love, faith and purpose. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph, her parents Rex and Helen and her siblings, Rosemary, James, Helen and Patrick. She leaves behind her amazing children Christina, John, Daniel and Mary Rose and their respective partners; their beautiful grandchildren Maya, Jonathon, London, Olivia, Elena, Soleil and Stevie. She also leaves behind a wonderful family of beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews that were all so important to her. Susie held great love and faith with Saint Giles Family Mass Community, a steadfast part of her life as well as the friendships she developed along the way as the Director of the Tolton Center. She will be missed by many.

Born in Chippewa Falls, WI, Susie was raised with her four siblings by her parents, Rex and Helen. Susan left Chippewa Falls for a year at Cardinal Stritch, where she made lifelong friends, but returned home to receive a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire with a minor in Psychology. After graduation, she served as a teacher at St. Mel Grade School in Chicago from 1965 to 1969. It was at St. Mel that Susie met her loving husband of over 50 years, Joseph Perez. Together they raised a beautiful family of four, Christina, John, Daniel and Mary Rose.

As Susie grew into herself personally and professionally, she served as the Director of Religious Education and Catechesis at the St. Giles Parish Community in Oak Park from 1978 to 1987. She also designed and taught academic courses at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. She was one of the first lay women to attend the Catholic Theological Union where she earned a Master of Theological Studies in 1990. In 2014, Susan was awarded an honorary PhD by Lewis University to honor her work in Education throughout her professional and educational career.

Susan volunteered as a catechist for 10 years as a New Testament Instructor for Chicago’s Deaconate and Lay-Ministry Program. Along with her husband, Joseph Perez, she volunteered as a member of the St. Giles Family Mass Pastoral Team. Susan served on the Illinois Adult Education and Family Literacy Advisory Council, and chaired its Curriculum Committee.

Susan’s greatest professional impact came through her many years of directorship of the Tolton Center in its various interations. In recognition of these achievements, Susan received the Women Who Make A Difference Award in 2005, was named Administrator of the Year by the Illinois Adult Continuing Educators Association in 2007 and was presented with the Tolton Lifetime Teaching Award from De La Salle Institute in 2011.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Migrant Ministry c/o St. Catherine, St. Lucy & St. Giles Parish

1025 Columbian Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

Visitation Sunday, January 5, 2025, from 4pm to 8pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 W. Cermak Rd., Forest Park, IL. Funeral Mass Monday, January 6, 2025, 10am at St. Giles Catholic Church, 1025 Columbian Ave., Oak Park, IL. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Forest Park, IL. For more information, please call (708) 442-8500 or visit www.woodlawnchicago.com

Funeral Mass will be live streamed, please check link on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 10am.

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