Carol Jean Kostoff

Carol Jean Kostoff, nee Stuit, 82, beloved wife of the late Thomas Patrick Shanahan and the late George Kostoff; devoted mother of Michael Shanahan, Beverly Shanahan, John Shanahan and Christopher Kostoff and step-mother of the late Valentina Hovorka , the late Christina Kostoff, George Kostoff Jr., and Annabella Dearman; proud grandmother of Tyler and Madelyn Shanahan; step-grandmother of Melissa Kostoff, Desiree Sobanski-Billets and Wayne Sobanski, and Mark and Wesley Dearman.

One of Carol’s strengths in life was perseverance. Through whatever difficulties she faced she carried on and did what needed to be done. She valued family. She was always concerned about her children and close family. She showed her love through her actions and the care she gave.

Carol lost her first husband, Thomas Shanahan, at the young age of 36 leaving her with 3 Children. It was a difficult time for Carol and the children, but with the support and love of family and close friends she was able to provide for her family.

During these years Carol raised her Children with the help of her mother. She worked at JC Penny, and she attended St. John’s Lutheran Church. Carol loved outings with her children and their Aunt Ronnie. They would spend their days in downtown Chicago at the Museums and Brookfield Zoo and evenings at Buckingham Fountain for the light show. During the Holidays she would bake cookies with her children. She would take them to look at Christmas lights in North Riverside during the Holidays.

While working at JC Penny she met her second husband, George Kostoff. They lived in Oak Park with George’s four children and Carol’s three children. As the children grew and were leaving the house George and Carol were blessed with the arrival of their youngest Son Christopher Warren in 1981. The whole family chipped in to care for their new baby brother. After Christopher graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School Carol, George, and Christopher moved to West Olive, Michigan in 1999.

They resided in Michigan for twelve years. Carol worked at JC Penny’s, Family Fair, and Meijer. She worked up until George’s death was in 2011. In 2012 Christopher and Carol moved to La Grange Park, Illinois in the Chicago area. Carol lived with Christopher in an apartment and spent time visiting family in the area; her son in Denver, Colorado; and her daughter in Pasadena, California.

Carol enjoyed traveling. She loved to read. She read everything from presidential biographies to novels. She loved and valued our national parks and the beauty of nature. She liked to swim. A memorable trip with her children in the 70s was to Louisville Kentucky where they were able to ride a Paddle Boat on the Ohio River and visited General Butler State Park. She took her children to Disney World. She traveled to California with her husband George and Son Christopher to see family. She and her daughter Beverly spent a week in Hawaii. She traveled to Kentucky to tour Mammoth Cave with her Sons Michael and John and her Grandchildren Tyler and Madeline Shanahan. She did the grand tour through Mammoth Cave in 2013 at the age of 74. She would go out of her way to take the scenic byways. Her children remember her taking the back roads to visit her cousins in Michigan to enjoy the changing Fall Foliage. Her last outing for her 82nd birthday was when her son John took her up Guanella Pass in Colorado to see the Aspen leaves changing color. She enjoyed that.

A graveside service for Carol will be held Monday, December 13, 2021 at 12:00 PM at Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery, 17W201 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181.