Mary Josephine Rehfus (DiMatteo), age 90, passed away on June 4, 2026.  She was loved by her sister Rose Cimarusti, brother Sam DiMatteo, brother the late Dominic DiMatteo, children Cathy Rehfus-Wilsek, John Rehfus, and Annette Miller, Richard Wilsek, Myles Miller, Terri Rehfus, and grandchildren Paigé, Myles, Mason, Kristopher, Ryan, Paige, Steven and Amanda, along with great-grandkids.

Mary was a trailblazer.  She was the first female industrial education teacher in Illinois. She guided students to award-winning projects yet was extremely underappreciated.  She taught for 40 years in the Chicagoland area.  Her love of woodworking went beyond the classroom as she designed and created beautiful works of art for craft fairs.  Additionally, she was a natural born entertainer and comedian. She was always asked to show off her many voices and accents, and could never give a straight answer to a question.  "How are you feeling?" "With my hands!" Her most notable performances were her Stand-Up Comedy skit as Mama at Chicago's Second City Comedy Club, and Best Supporting actress as Cinderella's evil stepsister at the Dell Webb Theatre Company. She also had many awards for her decorations in golf cart parades and set design for musicals.

Her funny spirit and pioneering attitude will be missed.

In lieu of services, keep her in your thoughts.  Her ashes will hopefully make it back to Palermo, Italy some day. Arrangements entrused to Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home. For info 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L.