Joanne B. Hyde

Joanne B. Hyde 82 of Norridge was born on January 2, 1937 to the late Julian and late Helen Betley and passed away August 31, 2019. Joanne was the beloved wife of the late David F. Hyde; loving mother of Anne Hyde, David (Shelly) Hyde, Amy Hyde and the late Jenifer Hyde; caring grandmother of Stefan (Brittney) Hyde, Anna Hyde, Benjamin Hyde, Christian Hyde and Sophie Hyde; dear sister of Harry (Eileen) Betley; fond aunt to many nieces and nephews. Joanne was an accomplished pianist. Her talent was first discovered by her mother, Helen, who noticed her interest in playing the piano when she was just three years old. Helen (lovingly known as “Gram” to Joanne’s children) immediately found a piano teacher for her and she excelled. Joanne was a natural, but she also worked very hard.

When she was still in grammar school, she began accompanying other musicians and continued to do so throughout high school and college.

She attended Rosary College and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Education. She then attended Northwestern University and earned her Master of Music Education. Joanne began her career in teaching at an elementary school in Palatine, IL.

In 1959, she married David, who was the brother of Veronica, one of her teachers at Rosary College. Soon after, they built a home in Norridge, where she lived until her passing. They had 4 children in their first 6 years of marriage and Joanne put her teaching career on hold to raise her young family. When their youngest child, Amy, was 8 years old, Joanne returned to the classroom. She was a music teacher in District 80 for 35+ years, first at Giles School and then at Leigh School. She loved her students and shared her love of music with them.

When her husband died in 1985, Joanne was left to assume all of the household duties as a widow and single mother. She did so with grace and determination.

When her grandchildren were born, she was involved and genuinely interested in all they did. She attended their soccer games, concerts, musicals, etc., and cheered them on and celebrated even the smallest achievements. She was so proud of them and they knew it!

When they began to take piano lessons, she never wanted to be their primary teacher...she wanted to be their grandma, but she was always willing to help them practice. Their piano teacher could always tell when grandma worked with them, because their improvement was tremendous! She had an amazing way of explaining things that always made everything so much easier to understand!

Joanne was incredibly devoted to her mother. They spoke on the phone at least once a day...but never during Jeopardy! She visited her every Sunday and they would have dinner together.

She really enjoyed her time with family, especially at all the big family parties with aunts, uncles and cousins.

She also had a close group of friends from high school known as the “Club Ladies,” who still get together for lunch several times a year.

Joanne’s first major medical crisis began in 2012 with a major heart attack followed by a stroke. She fought hard to recover from those setbacks and made amazing strides, but she was never able to drive again. The loss of that freedom and independence was difficult for her, but she never complained and never wanted to impose on anyone.

In 2014, her eldest daughter, Jenifer, died after a lengthy battle with complications related to diabetes. That was a devastating loss to the entire family, but especially to Joanne.

In 2016, she lost her beloved mom, Helen, at the age of 99. They were still as close as ever, so it was another major loss for her.

Visitation Thursday, September 5th from 3-8pm at Oehler Funeral Home 2099 Miner St., Des Plaines, IL. Prayers will be said Friday, September 6 at 9:45am at the Funeral Home and proceed to Our Lady Mother of the Church 8747 W. Lawrence Ave. Chicago, IL. Mass 10:30am. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles, IL. Funeral info 847-824-5155 or oehlerfuneralhome.com