Kathleen J. DeMarini

She was born on February 25, 1925 in Clayton County, IA to Helen McKernan Looney and Thomas Patrick Looney, and she graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, MN with her R.N. degree in 1945. She married Santé DeMarini on November 27, 1947, in Postville, IA; he preceded her in death in November 2004.

She is survived by her four sons, Dr. David of Chapel Hill, NC; Dr. Thomas (and Paula) of Atlanta, GA; Dennis of Bartonville, and Dr. Douglas (and Patricia) of Berwyn, PA; two grandchildren (Joe and Sam DeMarini); and two step-grandchildren (Chad and Heidi Allen). She is also survived by her four beloved sisters: Dorothy Untiedt, Waterloo, IA; Donna Parkin, Long Beach, CA; and Julie Foley and Carol McFarland, both of Peoria. She was preceded in death by her brother Jack Looney.

Kathleen had a 55-year career as a nurse, starting as a nurse cadet during World War II. She then worked at the former Hiram Walkers in Peoria, as a Peoria County Health Nurse, a school nurse at Limestone High School, and for many years at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, from which she retired in 2000 at the age of 75 after 19 years in the Newborn Nursery. She was a member of the St. Mary’s Alumni Association, the Illinois State Nurses Association, and the Peoria Garden Club.

She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Bartonville, where a funeral Mass will be held at 10 am Tuesday, June 21, 2016. The Rev. David Heinz will officiate. Visitation will be held at 5 pm to 7 pm Monday, June 20, 2016 at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel and 30 minutes prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria. Memorials may be made in Kathleen’s name to the Newborn Nursery, OSF Health Foundation, 530 N.E.Glenn Oak Ave., Peoria, IL 61637. You may create an online condolence at www.davison-fultonbartonvillechapel.com.