Dorothy Morello (née Brown) age 92, Lombard resident for 56 years, passed away peacefully on Aug. 17, 2026, in her residence at Prairie Path (formerly Lexington Square) in Lombard. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Dorothy was born in Joliet IL. She was the devoted wife of Raymond C. Morello. They were pleased to have been married for 71 years. Dorothy graduated from St Patrick's grade school in 1948 and Providence High School in 1952 and served as the Vice-President of her Senior class in Joliet IL. She retired from Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Lombard as a counselor, after 20 years. She loved her job. What she loved most about her job was helping family, friends and people through their most difficult times.
She was the beloved daughter of, and preceded in death by, Harold and Adeline Brown. Sibling of the late Harold, Adeline (Jack Hayes), Johnny (Barbara) Brown, Marilyn Brown and Brother in-law Edwin Morello.
Dorothy is survived by her loving daughters, Laura Rose Morello and Mary Sue (Harold Stetson). Cherished grandmother to Scott (Kari) Stetson, Jim Stetson and Bill Stetson. Dear great grandmother to Thora, Indigo and Guthrie Stetson. Eleven nieces, Kathleen Hayes of Danbury CT, Mary (Raymond) Meader of Joliet IL, Margaret (Irving) Agard of Burlingame CA, Teresa Hayes of Lombard, IL, Jacquelyn (Kenneth) Vancina of Charleston SC, Janet Hayes of Downers Grove IL, Helen (Craig) Marchbank of New Lenox IL, Robin Brown of Minooka IL, Donna (Micky) Popplewell of Russell Springs, KY. One nephew, the Late John Patick Hayes. Dorothy has numerous great, and great-great nieces and nephews. Also survived by cousins and friends.
Dorothy was involved in volunteering at both Sacred Heart Church and School in Lombard. Dorothy helped run the Catholic Teen Club from 1958-1975. She was a past president of the Sacred Heart Council of Catholic Women, the Joliet Diocesan Woman of The Year, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and delivered Holy Communion to the homebound. She also made prayer blankets with other women of the parish.
She volunteered to teach physical education for a few years with the younger students a couple of days a week. Dorothy was an assistant coach for both the girls’ cross-country teams for 30 years and track for 40 years. In 1965 as a fundraiser for Sacred Heart, the parish put on a three-day production of "The Sound of Music "at Glenbard East High School in which Dorothy played Maria.
Dorothy's favorite activities were being a member of the "Church Ladies" group, which included mass and breakfast. Working in her yard, walking, riding bikes on the Prairie Path with her daughters. She attended her daughters and grandsons sporting events, with her voice on occasion, standing out above the crowd. Dorothy was a loyal White Sox fan, attending the games, took a train down to Chicago to attend the 2005 Sox World Series parade and again in 1979 to attend Saint Pope John Paul II's Mass in Grant Park. She especially loved celebrating St Patrick's Day, listening and singing along to music, chocolate of any kind and a hot fudge Sunday.
Dorothy traveled with her family on trips to different states in the USA. She and Ray enjoyed their trips with West Suburban Bank to Europe, China, Egypt and the Holy Land. They both enjoyed being snowbirds and walking the beaches in Long Boat Key and Marco Island in Florida.
In 2014, Ray and Dorothy and Ray moved to Lexington Square, where she continued her volunteer spirit. She received the Volunteer of Year Award one year. She enjoyed making new friends, participating in activities and walking the property and the park/pond area on site.
Her family would like to thank Dorothy's loving caregivers, Azzaya and Michael. Angels Grace, especially Darlene and Assisting Hands, Dr. Debra Schwartzers and her staff for the many years of excellent care and kindness. Also, we would like to thank the staff at Lexington Square for making their place feel like home.
Visitation will be held at the Blake Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave. Lisle, (on Route 53, ½ mile south of Ogden/Route 34) on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, from 3-8 p.m. Funeral services to begin on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 114 S. Elizabeth St., Lombard IL. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 200 W Romeo Road, Romeoville.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to: Sacred Heart Church Faith in Our Future Capital Campaign Fund, 114 S. Elizabeth St., Lombard IL 60148.
