Delia Neal

Dede Neal

Delia "Dede" Neal of Morris, died on June 24, 2008 at the age of 48, of complications from metastatic breast cancer with her entire family by her side. Often times people will say that someone "lost a courageous battle with cancer". In Dede's case that phrase could not be further from the truth. While Dede was absolutely courageous, she lived a life that included, but was never controlled by breast cancer since her diagnosis in 1993.

After her diagnosis and surgery in 1993, Dede had her first reoccurrence a few years later. The illness was stage four metastatic breast cancer and the predictions for survival were alarming. Ignoring the predictions and undergoing constant treatments that included chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries and procedures that would make most cringe, Dede decided that she would not allow her disease to stop her from doing anything. After diagnosis, Dede continued to raise two children, handle a high level position within Commonwealth Edison, opened and operated a retail store, and walked the Three Day Cancer Walk twice.

Dede was born on August 1, 1959 in Joliet, Illinois. Dede's parents are Tom and Mary Cacia of Joliet. Both of her parents survive her. Dede graduated from Joliet Central High School in 1977. Her siblings are John (Elizabeth) Cacia of San Antonio, Texas, Elizabeth Cacia of Queen Creek, Arizona and Evangeline Cacia of Houston, Texas, who passed away in 1984.

Dede was married to David Neal on November 15, 1985 in Joliet, Illinois and they have two children that have made Dede very proud. Michael David Neal who was born October 1, 1987 and Erica Rose Neal who was born on June 8, 1990. They all survive her and will miss her good advice and happy positive approach to life and family very much.

After attending Joliet Junior College, Dede pursued a career in court reporting. She graduated from the Rydman School in Joliet and opened Tri-County Court Reporters in Morris, Illinois, which she operated from 1982 to 1985. She also worked for Burger King in Joliet, the Will County State's Attorney, Boodler's Place Restaurant in Coal City and Commonwealth Edison in Braidwood, LaSalle and Oak Brook. She then opened Dede's Dance and Treasures in Morris, providing dance wear for little girls, big girls and their mommies. She operated this business for about four years until it was destroyed by a fire.

Dede also enjoyed working within her community. She organized the first ever Jail and Bail for the Grundy County Chapter of the American Cancer Society and set a state record for fundraising. She managed David Neal's campaigns for Grundy County State's Attorney and personally convinced enough people to vote for him that he served two terms. Dede was a true volunteer serving as a classroom helper, Cub Scout helper, cheer leader helper and a Morris High School pom mom. When she learned that she had breast cancer, she did research, became a lay expert and served as a counselor to dozens of women who encountered this disease. At the time of her death, Dede was in the process of forming the "Dede Neal Breast Cancer Research Fund". Amazingly, Dede accomplished all of these things even though she only had 48 years to get it all in.

Dede was preceded in death by her sister Angie, her grandparents, Louis and Evangeline Staver and Thomas and Delia Cacia, her aunt Catherine Staver and her mother-in-law Rosemary Neal.

In addition to her immediate family and parents, who survive her, Dede is survived by her sister Elizabeth, her brother John, his wife Elizabeth, and their children Nicole and Louis. Dede is survived by her friend and oncologist Dr. Janet Wolter, who teamed up with Dede to continue to beat the odds, manage the disease and to provide a joy-filled life in which breast cancer was not the controlling force, but was relegated to nothing more than a passenger along Dede's positive journey through life. Dede is also survived by hundreds of individuals whose lives were impacted by this selfless, loyal and caring, living definition of the words "Trusted Friend".

All who knew Dede Neal will fondly remember and deeply miss her beaming smile, hearty laugh and positive approach to all that life has to bring. Those who wish to visit with Dede and her family and friends may do so at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block East of Illinois Route 47) in Morris on Friday June 27, 2008 between the hours of 3:00PM and 8:00PM. A funeral service for Dede Neal will then follow on Saturday June 28, 2008 at 11:00AM in All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 102 North Broadway Street in Joliet. Fr. Stephen C. Bithos will officiate and a private family burial will be in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Dede's family would appreciate donations to the "Dede Neal Breast Cancer Research Fund" c/o Dr. Janet Wolter, Rush University Medical Center, 1700 West VanBuren, Suite 250, Chicago, Illinois 60612. This fund will provide ongoing breast cancer research funding and will be managed by Dede's best friends, her children Michael and Erica Neal in their mother's honor.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. (815/942-2500)