Donna-Marie (Corcoran) Gazdziak

Donna-Marie Gazdziak, 66, of Woodstock, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at the Northwestern Medicine Hospital in Huntley.

She was born March 7, 1953 in Chicago to Francis X. and Dorothie (Lundeen) Corcoran.  She married Michael Gazdziak on February 14, 1981.

Donna-Marie was a strong and kind woman known for her quick wit and ability to always see the bright side of any circumstance. She was deeply involved in her children’s lives—from serving as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Boy Scout Troop committee member, to supporting their involvement in school theater and competitive athletics, to sending them homemade cookies across the country.

She was an interior designer for People’s Gas in Chicago, an early member of the Southwest Voyager Brigade, a jigsaw puzzle buff, and an avid consumer of all gadgets endorsed by America’s Test Kitchen. She loved the outdoors, particularly canoeing, where she met her husband of thirty-eight years and also where she honed her keen sense of direction. She was a beautiful and prolific knitter and crafter, as well as a maker of sock monkeys that have traveled the world with her children.

More than anything, she was proud to have raised four children who share her incredible ability to love unconditionally.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Gazdziak; her children, Michael Nicholas (Celene Reynolds) Gazdziak, Katherine Elizabeth Gazdziak, Carolyn Marie Gazdziak, and Elizabeth Ann (Erik Myrseth) Gazdziak; two sisters, Judith Ann (Richard) Benzinger, Janice (Nicholas) DiMasi; as well as several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Schneider Leucht Merwin Cooney Funeral Home 1211 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock.  The visitation will continue on Friday, October 18, 2019 at the Grace Lutheran Church 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock, from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am Funeral Service.  Interment will be private.

Memorials in her name may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

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