Veronica C. Tash

Age 92 of Wilmington, Illinois, formerly of Lemont, Illinois, died Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at her home in Wilmington.

Born December 26, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, Veronica Catherine was a daughter of Eugene and Henrietta (Castins) Beck. She was raised and educated in Chicago and Lemont, where she graduated from high school. On December 1, 1951, Veronica married Sharrell Tash in Lemont, and it was there that they would start their family. In 1976, the Tash family relocated to Wilmington, and it was there Veronica founded her business, Country Kennels. She owned and operated her business for 46 years, being a sought after refuge for many an animal in need. Veronica was a staunch supporter of the Illinois Alaskan Malamut Rescue Association, offering up space in her kennels to house countless rescues, but she had a love for all animals.

When she wasn't caring for her animals, she could be found working in her gardens. Veronica was an avid gardener, taking great pleasure in arranging and tending to her flowers and vegetable patches. She also enjoyed puzzles, particularly jigsaw, crossword, and cryptograms, as well as PBS television programs and classic movies. Veronica was well known as the "mother of all mothers", always looking for a reason to have family and friends together, especially for Saturday dinners. Her loving personality and care for all creatures great and small will be her lasting legacy.

Survivors include four children: William (Karen) Tash of LaGrange Park, Illinois, Cheryl Ann (Dennis) Jaicomo of Essex, Illinois, Mike Tash of Iowa, and Tom Tash of Wilmington; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; two sisters: Barbara (the late George) Carter of Lemont and Emily (Jim) Lund of Pennsylvania; one sister-in-law, Mary Beck of Indiana, and several nieces and nephews.

Veronica was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Henrietta, and her husband, Sharrell; two sons: George and Harold Tash; one great grandson, Atlas Tash, and brothers and sister: John Beck, Charles Beck, David Beck, Tom Beck, Mary Beck, and Eugene Beck.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Sunday, December 15, 2024 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Cremation rites will follow, and Veronica will be laid to rest at Saint Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Lemont.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Veronica's memory to an animal shelter of the donor's choosing or to Lightways Hospice in Joliet, Illinois.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Veronica's memorial page via social media.

Funeral services and cremation arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.