Claudene Goldie Simpson Chunn

CLAUDENE GOLDIE S IMPSON CHUNN , 91, of Ruma , Illinois. Our dear sweet, ever-smiling Claudene Goldie, after a short, courageous 3-day battle with Covid-19, took her angel wings Saturday, January 16, 2021 with family surrounding her virtually, blessed by Fr Matthew O’Toole, listening to the sounds of her favorite Bing Crosby Christmas tunes. A joyous reunion must have taken place that evening when the “rock,” nearly 92 year-old matriarch, crossed through heaven’s gates. Goldie is now happily walking hand in hand once again with the sweetheart of her life, Bob, on windswept beaches of France, dreaming about their little slice-of-heaven log home, tucked into the woods, where she held court with family the weekend before.

Claudene, born in rural Marigold, Illinois on a snowy April 20, 1929, first-born to Claude Henry and Nathalie Rosa (nee Kennedy) Simpson. Born into family with rich history, dating back to Simpsons’ arrival to America in 1635, becoming founding family of St Patrick’s Catholic Church in 1818. Raised a farm girl with chickens, goats, horses, kitchen gardens, canning, butchering, hauling lime, taught in a one-room schoolhouse by Sr. Mary Gerarda, then Red Bud High School. Soon joined by large line of 11 Simpson siblings: Danny, Beulah (Don Robert), infants Claudius Sylvan & Thomas, Doris (Bill Wilson), infant Nathalie Rosemary, Joyce (Don Parrone), Kathleen (Jim Coop), Jim (Joanne), Justin (Margaret), Peggy (Jerry Hayes) – all fun, ambitious, proud, growing up in days of Depression, WWII & after.

This shy young girl began a storybook romance in April 1948 with dashing, gregarious, farm family boy, Bob Chunn, who she eyed at his diner in Evansville. After two-year courtship & his service in France, the young couple was married by Monsignor Witte at St Patrick’s, October 7, 1950, enjoying 62 wonderful years together, partners each step of the way, side by side, forever faithful, one of the great love stories. With lifelong love & dedication, raised six children: Rick (Susan), Carol (Rick Couch), Steve, deceased, (Jayna), Tina Erickson, Ron (Melaney) & Kris (John Budnicki). Adored by beautiful grandchildren, Candace Coulombe (Marc), Joshua Luecking (Courtney), Lindsey Briggs (Dan), Patrick (Cassandra) & Alicia Erickson, Joy, Jordan (Chelsea) & Katelyn Budnicki (Desmond), angels Steeli & Sammy Chunn, great-grandchildren, Parker, Claudette & Margot Coulombe, Evelyn, Natalie, Sylvia & Teddy Briggs, Aubree & Logan Budnicki, Sophia Luecking. Godmother to Teri Quick, Erin Liefer, Brooke Supancic, special “mom” to Cathy Dollison, sister-in-law to Laurie Simpson & Kathryn Chunn. Beloved wife, mom, mother-in-law, grandma, great-grandma, godmother, sister, sister-in-law, cousin, aunt, great-aunt, great-great aunt, friend to many.

Claudene Goldie was the heart of her large family, with the kindest sweetest, generous, gentle “Claudene” way, always thinking of others, caring & understanding, patiently teaching life’s great lessons by her quiet, unassuming example. Lived her entire life with bedrock faith, guided by Blessed Mother Mary. Her radiant, ear-to-ear smile & twinkling blue eyes were ever-present, lit up every room, touched every heart, bright light to the world, adored by family & everyone. She was fun, joy-filled, optimistic, sunny. Personified grace, elegance & class, always a lady, beautiful, dignified, hair just so, lipstick always on. Her quiet Simpson strength & determination, perseverance & grit got her through every challenge, pain & storm, always with a big laugh, feisty humor, inspiring, amazing all who witnessed. Razor-sharp smart, with steel-trap memory, incredible knack for numbers, talent for balancing any checkbook. Born to be a mom, assuming that role at 15 when her mom took ill, through life was “everyone’s mom.” Ran a busy household, raising 6 kids while working full-time, doing five things at a time, nimble & fast, supporting her kids in every way. Relished being gracious host, welcoming all into Grandma Claudene’s neat-as-a-pin log home, whipping out delectable treats in no time, endless games of Rummy, UNO, Farkle, enjoying front porch, flower gardens, her birds, back deck, bbq-ing, fresh lemonade, tea parties, hotdog roasts, fire pits & scenic sunsets. Wonderful cook, baker, delighting all in her cozy blue kitchen with top-prize chicken & dumplings, perfect-crust pies, beautiful, yummy Christmas cookies. Endless card writing, in impeccable Palmer Method handwriting. Some of her loves: reading Bob’s many love letters from France; dancing cheek-to-cheek with Bob to “good music” of Glenn Miller; road-trip vacations with grandkids; Simpson genealogy, family photo albums; trimming her tree with all-have-a-story Christmas ornaments, watching White Christmas, never wanting Christmas to end; the color blue, same as her eyes; her many Mary & angel statues & knick-knacks; orange slices, peanut brittle, peanut clusters, ice cream - homemade & butter pecan, orange floats, Ruffles potato chips; big bowl of popcorn & John Wayne movie, Hallmark & Jeopardy; giant puzzles; Danielle Steel novels; cross-stitching & homemade quilts. Longtime bank accountant at Webster Groves Trust, Salem National, Centerre, Boatman’s. Great friend of Chapel Hill gang. Proud, longtime parishioner, loving all things St Patrick’s, especially Strawberry Festival.

Many thanks to all who assisted Claudene past few years, including loving family, Sandy Duvic, Sue Myerscough, Chris Wiegard, staffs at Red Bud Regional, BJC Extended Care, SSM Rehab & Day Institute, Paraquad, in-home assistants Helen, Lawanda and Barb, many doctors & medical staff, particularly at SLU Hospital in Claudene’s last few days with Covid-19, giving her wonderful family-like care, with compassion & courage.

A Public Graveside Service will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, January 30, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Ruma, Illinois with Fr. Clyde Grogan officiating.

We ask that everyone wears a mask and please use social distancing guidelines.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at a later date at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ruma, Illinois.

Memorial contributions can be made in Claudene’s memory to St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery Fund and memorials are being accepted at Pechacek Funeral Homes in Red Bud.