Audrey “Joan” Sersen, age 92, passed away peacefully listening to Christmas music in her home on November 23, 2022. She was born April 28, 1930 in Evanston, Illinois to Henry and Sophia (Neuwirth) Kalteux.

She married William Sersen in 1954 and lived for 68 years at the home he built. This home became the extended family’s annual gathering place for decades of holidays, which came to be a tribute to her loving, light-hearted and caring spirit as the beloved family matriarch.

Joan had been a widow for almost 40 years, having lost her husband Bill in 1983. In that same year her sister Eunice lost her husband. Already close, they were a comfort to each other for decades.

Joan graduated from Immaculata High School in Chicago, Illinois and then took a course in secretarial and bookkeeping training, which she used in several positions including many years with the Barrington School District. Her many activities included 35 years of membership in the Cary Country Club ladies’ golf league as well as enjoyment of water aerobics, jazzercise and great enthusiasm for water volleyball well into her eighties. She loved music, crocheting, playing piano and singing in the Saints Peter and Paul church choir for over 30 years. Joan was a devout Catholic, an avid reader, and supported many charities. She was known for a vast repertoire of fine home cooking and baking. A visit by anyone to the house was always met with offers of the latest meals or treats. Above all, she emphasized her pleasure and pride in her extended family, to which she has imparted much of her carefree and whimsical spirit.

She is survived by her children, Bob (Ila) Sersen, Dave Sersen, Dan (Mary) Sersen, Jim (Maya) Sersen, and Nancy (Greg) Principali; her grandchildren, Adam (Julie) Sersen, Lindsay (Juan) Teran, Joelle (Matt) Espina, Tara Principali, Nick Principali, Kelsey Principali, and Amber Sersen; by her great-grandchildren, Peyton Teran, Alexis Teran, Ava Teran, Makenzie Holst, William Sersen, Hayden Espina and Louis Espina; and by nieces and nephews Jim Kalteux, Jerry Kalteux, Kay Ellen Clarke, Patricia Murphy, Christine Roessler, James Marks, Terry Marks, and Barbara Dildine.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her siblings Jerome (Alta) Kalteux, Eunice (Robert) Murphy, Catherine (Kemp) Bunting, Henry "Bill" (Sophia) Kalteux, and John "Jack" (Dorie) Kalteux.

Visitation and mass will be held on Wednesday November 30th at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Cary, Illinois beginning with visitation at 9:00 am and mass at 10:30 am.  Burial at St. John Nepomucene Cemetery to follow.  Visit kahlemoore.com to express condolences.