Rennea Ruddy

(nee Pawloski)

Age 78, of Plainfield, IL, passed away on May 20, 2024, in Joliet, IL.

She was born on November 16, 1945, to her loving parents, Albert and Loretta Pawloski. Rennea graduated from Lemont High School with the Class of 1964. She continued her education at St. Joseph’s Nursing School from where she graduated and went on to dedicate her life to helping others. Rennea spent her career as an ICU and Recovery Room Nurse and was instrumental in establishing District 202's first PTO group, as well as volunteering with numerous other Plainfield school programs. Rennea's dedication and quality of work were recognized by the State of Illinois after the 1990 Plainfield Tornado for her efforts and aid in feeding and caring for hundreds of displaced residents in the following days and weeks following the tragedy.

After retirement, Rennea kept busy with her husband, Tom, aboard their boat and traveling to many different places. She loved tending to her garden, fishing with the grandkids, and spending time with her dear friends. Rennea cared for Tom after he suffered a stroke. She never gave up on trying to give him a better quality of life. Determined, compassionate, and caring would be a few words to describe Rennea, but to encapsulate her life and persona into this summary would be impossible.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas Ruddy, her children Todd (Jennifer) Ruddy, Julie Ruddy (Jeff Zwolinski), and Brian (Staci) Ruddy, her beloved twin sister, Linnea Bass, of Tuscon Arizona, as well as her grandchildren, Shawn (Alyssa), Jacob, James, Samantha, Jill, John, Conner, Peyton, and Kaitlyn. Rennea was also cherished by her dearest friends Darrell and Pat Herman, Ron and Kathy Kazmar, Deb and Mark Arabadjief, and many others she loved deeply.

Rennea was preceded in death by her parents.

Cemetery committal services will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood on Friday, May 24, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. Those wishing to attend are requested to assemble at the cemetery by 1:15 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials in Rennea's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital (www.StJude.org).