Thu, Oct 31 at 2:00 PM

Diane Marie Rozek, known lovingly as Mom to some and Grandma to the luckiest, made her grand exit on October 29, 2024, at her home in Fox River Grove, Illinois, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and wisdom. Born on April 22, 1950, in Melrose Park, Diane's life was a masterclass in love, determination, spreadsheets, and the fine art of perseverance- not necessarily in that order. 

With a twinkle in her eye and a joke on her lips, Diane, alongside her husband of half a century, the ever-charming "Bud" Paul Rozek, navigated the waters of life and the Fox River with equal prowess. Their partnership was the stuff of legends, or at least the stuff that would make a sitcom writer salivate with envy. 

Her son, "Rocky" Paul Rozek IV (with his partner-in-crime Patty Edwards), and her daughter Anne Gacke, along with her son of the heart, Jason Robertson (and his better half, Carolyn Cruz), were among her proudest achievements. Diane was the matriarch of a sprawling family that included a lineup of grandchildren: Jacob, Alex, Jackson, Melani, Daniella, Travis, and Kylee, who could have formed a basketball team, plus a bench of great-grandchildren and a tapestry of chosen family members who were forever woven into her heart. 

Diane's career in banking was marked by her love of numbers and perhaps the only thing she balanced better than her checkbook was her sense of humor. She could find the funny in fiscal reports and the comedy in compound interest, making every payday feel like a punchline. 

Living on the banks of the Fox River, Diane's pastimes included boating, fishing, and an Olympic-level talent for waving at passing boats - a skill she honed to perfection over the years. Her grandkids knew her house as the place where cookies and hugs were dispensed with the regularity of a sitcom laugh track, morning and afternoon without fail. 

A daily word jumble connoisseur, Diane and Bud kept their wits as sharp as their one-liners. The two of them could often be found debating whether "gazebo" really was a funny word or if it was just the way Bud said it. 

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Diane was the epitome of loving, spirited, and wise - a trifecta of traits that made her the life coach everyone needed. She taught us all that the secret to living well isn't just in the big moments, but in the joy we find in the small ones. 

Diane was a tiny force of nature to all that knew and loved her. Feisty and strong she always knew the best way to get her point across and to make sure you listened. She never let a little obstacle (or big) get in her way nor discourage her from her goals. 

As we say our goodbyes to Diane, we do so with the knowledge that she's probably already organizing the books and ledgers in the sky or renegotiating her cloud lease for a better view. Her laughter echoes in our hearts, and her wisdom resides in our memories, ensuring that the 

legacy of Diane Marie Rozek will continue to inspire chuckles and knowing smiles for generations to come. 

Goodnight, Diane. May your final journey be as joyful as the life you lived, and may you always have the wind at your back, especially when it's your turn to steer the boat.