Mary (Stam) Calvert, 95, passed away peacefully at Riverside Hospital with her children at her side on Wednesday, November, 1, 2017. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through several recent bouts of illness.
Visitation will be held from 3- 8 p.m. Sunday, November 5, 2017, at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home at 295 Main St. NW., Bourbonnais. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 6, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 N. Center Ave., Bradley. Burial will be at All Saints Cemetery.
Mary was born on July 4th, 1922 in Buckley, Illinois to Joseph and Florence Gleason. She was preceded in death by Mother and Father as well as her brothers and sisters; Francis Gleason, Catherine (Gleason) Tuttle, Reva (Gleason) Swanstrom, Loretta (Gleason) Golowski, and Jerry Gleason.
Mary, was wed to Stanley Stam (deceased) in 1947 and raised a family of seven Children: Sherrie (Don, deceased) Duncan, of Bradley; Stanley (Shirley) Stam, of Bourbonnais; Jerry (Karen) Stam, of St. Anne; Dr. Douglas (Dolores) Stam, of Bourbonnais; Jeanette Krutsinger, of Bradley; Jo Ellen (Rick) Riley, of Bradley; and Greg (Barb) Stam, of Schaumburg. Mary, was wed to Clarence Calvert (deceased) in 1987 and enjoyed spending time with the families of her four step-children: Gerald Calvert, of Rochester; Patrick Calvert, of Gilbertsville, PA; Ruth Smith, of Kankakee; and Deborah Longtin, of Bradley. She was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Mary was a lifelong caregiver. She graduated from St Joseph’s School of Nursing in Bloomington, IL, in 1943 with a degree in Nursing. Many people knew her as the longtime Director of Nursing at the Heritage House until she retired in 1989. Numerous people will tell stories about the great care that she provided to their parents.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Mary was an avid bowler and during this time, became the Illinois Women’s State Champion. Mary loved to play cards, especially euchre. She would play in local events multiple times a week and tell stories of how she would set her friends. During her quiet time, she would crochet some of the finest blankets you would ever see. She loved to travel and had some of the best times of her life in Las Vegas with Clarence. Mary had a wonderful sense of humor that she said she got from her father. She would spend hours laughing and having fun with her family and friends.
Mary truly had a life well lived.
Memorials may be made to the family wishes
