Dennise Mary Shermulis, née Quinn, age 74, a longtime resident of Orland Park, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of the late John A. Quinn and the late Mary M. Quinn.

Dennise is survived by her devoted husband, John “Jack” A. Shermulis; her loving daughters, Lisa (Michael) Wieland, Laura (Michael) Johnson, and Jackie (John) Palka; and her cherished grandchildren, Andrew, Madelyn, Sydney, Jack, and Megan. She is also survived by her brothers in law, Michael Shermulis, James Shermulis (Melody, late Barbara), David Shermulis (Gisele), and Thomas Shermulis (Kim); her sisters in law, Nancy Milovic (late Michael), Mary Treacy (Paul), and Joanne Marrs (Gary); as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Born on November 8, 1951, Dennise was happiest when she was surrounded by her family. She met the love of her life, John, or as she liked to call him, Jack, when he was a young drummer in a band, playing shows to help pay his way through optometry school. Dennise loved attending his shows and singing along to his sets. They married in December 1973 and spent nearly 54 wonderful years together, raising their family.

Earlier in her life, Dennise enjoyed working with numbers. She spent time at LaSalle National Bank and later did bookkeeping for Jack’s business, Crystal Vision Center. But what she wanted most was to be a mother. She loved being a mom to her three daughters, Lisa, Laura, and Jackie, and being their mom was the most important job to her. She was always their biggest fan, encouraged them to work hard at school, loved shopping and dinner dates with them, and made “good, better, best” a household saying long before Ben Johnson coached the Chicago Bears.

As her children got older, Dennise decided it was time to return to the workforce part-time and filled her days as a hostess at the Original Pancake House. There, she found not only a job she loved, but a community that became family. She formed some of her closest friendships there. After nearly 27 years at the Pancake House, she retired and embraced one of her most beloved roles, being a grandmother.

Dennise adored her five grandchildren. She loved hearing about their activities and was always cheering them on. She was always ready for a competitive game of cards and looked forward to Sunday family dinners. She loved being their grandma and was so proud of each of them.

She also had a special relationship with each of her sons-in-law. She loved talking with them, giving them a hard time, and telling her stories, and they loved her right back. They especially enjoyed her sense of humor and the “Dennise Stories” she would often tell.

Dennise loved her family more than anything, and there is no doubt how much she will be missed. We are grateful for all the years we had with her and for the many laughs and memories. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who made an impression on everyone who knew her.

A celebration of life will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to an organization near and dear to her heart, Christmas Without Cancer.

Arrangements entrusted to Peter B. Kennedy & Co., Funeral Directors. For funeral info: 708-562-5900.