Denise J. Streff OBITUARY

Denise J. Streff OBITUARY

Denise Josephe Streff (nee Bouillet), 94, of Morton Grove, formerly of Northbrook, passed away on March 28, 2025. Beloved wife of the late John, loving mother of Denise A., Monique C. and “my third daughter “, Eloise Marie Valadez, she also leaves many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. Denise was born in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan to Andree (nee Morel) and Camille Bouillet who emigrated to Canada from Dole, France after WWI. Denise worked on the family dairy farm, could drive a team of horses by the time she was 10 and learned to speak English in school. She loved science and earned a nursing degree at Misericordia General Hospital in Winnipeg where she cared for people in iron lungs before the polio vaccine was developed. Denise brought her nursing skills south of the border, first to Ann Arbor, MI then to Albany, NY where she met John on a blind date. The family moved to John’s hometown, Chicago, in the early 1960s.

Although she was a shy person, Denise became an outspoken champion for her daughter Monique, who has Cerebral Palsy and learning disabilities, and she helped Monique become a life-long advocate for people with disabilities. Denise cared for John’s dear mother, Monica McCaughey Streff, while she recovered from devastating surgery. She was a school nurse for Northbrook/Glenview District 30 where she was known for her kindness to students and staff. She organized a lending closet of wheelchairs and other mobility aids and developed a speakers program at Maple School.

Denise was a gifted knitter and crocheter and loved line-dancing, singing and detective novels. While her family is glad she is reunited with her husband, parents and her siblings, Odile, Hubert, Michel, Gabrielle, Genevieve and Edith, all of whom she missed so much, we will always miss her and her beautiful singing voice which stayed with her through her last days.

After visitation at 10 am, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday May 10, 2025 at 11 am at St. Martha Church, 8523 Georgiana Ave, Morton Grove. Private burial will take place at All Saints Cemetery.