Barb Alessi

Barbara E. Alessi, 84, of Washington passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2017 while traveling in El Paso County, CO. Barb was born November 8, 1932 in Grand Forks, ND to Bernard and Mary Bolack Westlake. She married Richard “Dick” E. Alessi on September 15, 1951. Surviving is her husband, Dick of Washington; children, Ronald Alessi of Washington, Tony (Lilia) Alessi of Severn, MD, Steve (Donna) Alessi of Delavan, Janet (Bob) Marrer of Grass Valley, CA, and Dr. Cathy (Joe) Alessi-Hausenbauer of Thousand Oaks, CA; daughter-in-law, Susan Alessi of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Dr. David (Sarah) Alessi; Dominick and Rachel Alessi; Alyssa and Indy Cuellar; David and Andrew Marrer; and Sarah, Daniel, and Thomas Alessi-Hausenbauer; great-grandchildren, Carter, Margot, Ainsley, and Lola; and her siblings, Mary Alice Fain, Carol Buehler, and Michael and William Westlake. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Alfred, Bernard, and Joan Westlake; and son, Richard “Rick” Alessi. Barb was a loving mother and enjoyed raising her children. After they were grown, she pursued her dream of becoming a nurse. She graduated from Illinois Central College in 1975 and from Bradley University’s nursing program in 1986; she later retired from OSF St. Francis. Barb enjoyed keeping busy with many hobbies and social activities, like ballroom dancing and traveling. She volunteered as a docent at Lakeview Museum and at area blood pressure screenings. She got together monthly with former nursing colleagues and her neighborhood friends, the “Ladies of the Lake”; she also enjoyed time at family reunions. Barb treasured the classes she took through OLLI at Bradley. The writing courses were especially important to her because she loved revisiting her past through her writing. A funeral Mass will held at noon Saturday, October 28, 2017 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the Mass at the church. Interment will be at Glendale Cemetery in Washington. Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory, Washington is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Center for the Prevention of Abuse.

Barb Alessi

November 8, 1932 - September 30, 2017