Joanne Marie Desmond

Of Mount Prospect

Joanne M. Desmond passed away surrounded by loved ones, on November 30th, 2023. She was born on July 18th, 1953, in Oak Park, Illinois to Francis and Grace O’Connor.

She is survived by her children Michael (Holly) Desmond, Jennifer (Timothy) Gillespie and Diane (Scott) Kaiser, her grandchildren Courtney (Steven), Michael, Nicholas, Jason, Makenzie, Kendall, Timothy, Connor, Caleb, Evan, William and Arden, her great granddaughter Cassidy, her siblings Robert (Sunny) O’Connor, Joseph (Christine) O’Connor, Mary (Daniel) Starbeck, Diane (Robert) Ritter and Barbara (James) Wizniak, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Daniel T. Desmond Jr., her brother John O’Connor, and her parents.

Born with a heart as vast as the open sky, Joanne radiated compassion from the very core of her being. Her life was a tapestry woven with threads of empathy and goodwill, where strangers were simply friends she hadn't met yet.

Her benevolence knew no bounds—whether offering a comforting embrace, lending a listening ear, extending a helping hand or gifting you with an Amazon delivery, she did so effortlessly and without an ounce of expectation.

Her acts of kindness were her signature, intertwined into the fabric of her existence. From aiding a struggling neighbor to comforting a friend in distress, she selflessly devoted herself to uplifting others, finding solace in the simple act of making someone's day a little brighter.

It was her prowess as a Memaw that truly earned her legendary status. Candy for breakfast? Absolutely! Midnight ice cream runs? A specialty! Her 12 grandchildren will forever treasure the memories of wild escapades at Camp Memaw, where bedtime stories had sequels and vegetables were often MIA. At Camp Memaw, rules took a backseat to creating lasting memories and unlimited joy.

But her altruism didn't end with her inner circle. Joanne had an extraordinary knack for spotting the unseen, reaching out to strangers in need with a warmth that could melt the iciest of hearts. Her selfless gestures were her currency, and she invested them generously, expecting nothing in return but the joy of knowing she'd made a difference.

In a world often consumed by its own pace, Joanne was a reminder of the profound impact simple acts of kindness could have. Her life was living proof to the belief that the measure of a person's greatness lies not in wealth or status but in the compassion they extend to others.

Joanne's life was a testament to resilience, embodying the qualities of strength, generosity, and warmth. Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of family and friends, but her legacy of selflessness and love will continue to inspire generations to come.

A visitation will take place from 3:00pm until 8:00pm on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd. Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Prayers will begin at 9:45am on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the funeral home, proceeding to St. Mary Parish, 10 N. Buffalo Grove Rd. Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 for a Funeral Mass at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, https://cholangiocarcinoma.org

Funeral Information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFH.com or (847) 253-0168.