Mary Ann Willet

Born: November 8, 1932

Died: July 2, 2019

Mary Ann Willet, 86, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday night, July 2, at OSF St. Elizabeth hospital. My son, Ryan, stated it best, “We watched one of the brightest lights in our life fade to dark.” She donated her body to science and her wishes were for no services. Ottawa Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Ann was born on November 8, 1932, in Streator, to John and Irene (Harden) Krasnican. She married Leo Robert Willet, May 19, 1961. He preceded her in death on April 6, 2011. They had a very special relationship that anyone would be fortunate to have. In 1969, Leo began to build her dream home in Ottawa, which she still resided in until the time of her death. Dad always provided mom and his family with the best of everything.

Mary Ann worked for years at Lipton Tea in Streator. You also could find her friendly smile and outgoing personality for years at the Steak House in Ottawa where she was a waitress and in later years a bartender. Mom loved being around the public, she was a people person. She also worked at Oogie's in Ottawa, Farm & Fleet, and for some years Joe's Dog House. Mom always had a job to help provide for her family.

Later in life, she had an in-home daycare so she could take care of her loving husband Leo, who had MS. She was a very strong-willed woman.

Mom was my "rock", always there for me and our small family. She will be missed but never forgotten by her daughter, Jacqueline Willet and grandchildren, Ryan, Cody and Jaide, all of Ottawa. Her great-granddaughters, Kylinn and Sienna, will always remember her for offering 'crackers.' Mom had two very special four-legged companion's Gracie and Midnight which she adopted. They saved each other.

Ryan stated, "For anyone that was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to interact with her knows she was a fantastic matriarch with an immaculate work ethic and possessed one of the toughest spirits of anyone on this planet. The void she has left behind will never be fully filled and the legacy will always cast an imposing shadow. There are no words capable of doing her justice."

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a sister, Peggy (Ted) Sowma of Ohio.

Due to no services, we ask that you please remember mom as a very energetic always on the go lady who had a craziness to make people smile and a big heart. I was fortunate that I had a 'one in a million mom and dad.'

Written by her daughter Jackie Willet and grandson Ryan Willet

The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.ottawafuneralhome.com.

Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory

1111 La Salle St., Ottawa Illinois 61350

815-433-0300