Violet Catalano

Violet Catalano, 91, of Arlington passed away the morning of April 26, 2025 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Peru.

Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Saturday, May 3, at Hurst Funeral Home in LaSalle. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from noon until time of services. Cremation will follow services and private burial will be at a later date at Bache Chapel Cemetery in Van Orin.

She was born Media Mary Violet Whitmire on March 2, 1934 in Elgin, Illinois.

Violet was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Violet Catalano is survived by her children, James Catalano Jr., Frank (Kathy) Catalano, Vincent (Melanie) Catalano, Mary Helen Elam, and David Catalano; her grandchildren, Michael (Tanya) Elam, Frank (Sona) Catalano Jr., Nick (April) Catalano, Jennifer (Sam) Bouso, Brittany (Joshua) Thompson, Dominic (Emily) Catalano, Andrew Leija, Angelo (Emily) Catalano, Gina Catalano, Joseph Catalano, James Catalano, Ryan Johnson, and Larissa Catalano; her great-grandchildren, Megan Elam, Michael (Allie) Elam Jr., Jeremy Rotramel, Courtney (Michael “Ed”) Poremba, Talia Catalano, Deegan Catalano, Augustus Thompson, Zayn Buoso, Kane Leija, Leonardo Thompson, Michalina Thompson, Luca Catalano, Fiona Catalano, Ben Catalano, Matteo Catalano; and her great-great-grandchildren, Liam Reeder, Micheal Elam III, Elijah Reeder, Lillianna Rotramel, Miles Poremba, Archer Rotramel, Naomi Rotramel, Violet Reeder, Henry Schneider, and Casey Poremba. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Catalano, her parents, Elmer and Mary (nee Brown) Whitmire, her siblings, Elmer Whitmire and Dale Whitmire, her daughter Angeline (nee Catalano) Leija, and her son-in-law, Roy Elam. 

Violet spent her early years in the Elgin area with her mother, grandmother, and sister. She had vivid memories of the town in the 40's and was amazed by the changes she saw in her lifetime. She enjoyed going to the movies and continued to enjoy watching the movies from her youth throughout her life.

Violet met James Catalano, and the two were married on June 6, 1952. They started their marriage in Chicago before moving to Roselle in 1956. They had 6 children together, James Jr, Frank, Vince, Mary Helen, Angie, and Dave. They raised their family in Wooddale before moving to St Charles. They eventually settled in Arlington, IL where the couple called home. Violet worked as a CNA and a caregiver after raising her children, but always found time to dote on her grandchildren and eventually her great and even great-great grandchildren!

Violet was known for her adoration of life's little pleasures. She loved reading, especially romance books. Violet enjoyed decorating for holidays, including the permanent fixture of her Christmas tree. She cared for dogs and had many pets throughout her life. Violet adored listening to Patsy Cline and watching John Wayne movies. She had a great day if she was able to go shopping with her family and get a strawberry milkshake on the way home.

Violet was baptized in the Lutheran church, but she followed the faith of her mother-in-law most of her life. She received her last rites with her daughter, Mary Helen, by her side before she was freed from her pain and reunited with her husband and daughter, Angie, again. Violet will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

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