Paulette Marie Gleason

Paulette M. Gleason, died on Sunday, November 9th, 2025 at home, in Lady Lake, Florida, surrounded by family. She was born Paulette Marie Jurczak on May 23rd, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois. Her mother Ann (Korman) and father, Edward Jurczak raised her along with her sisters Bonita, Johanna and Andrea and her brothers, Edward and Martin. When Paulette was 15 years old, her father moved the family from the city to the suburb of Villa Park. Paulette loved her father and he often referred to her as his shadow. She followed in her mother’s foot steps and decided to go to cosmetology school but quickly learned that this path was not for her. She often joked that she was a beauty school drop out. Soon after she started working at Sears Roebuck and Company in the Ladies’ Department. She was a stylish dresser, often wearing sequins and sparkles and caught the eye of Marco Bastidas, who was also an employee at Sears, selling suits in the Men’s Department. They quickly became a couple, had a baby girl named Julie and got married in that order much to the dismay of her parents. While they had a lot of fun together the pair did not last and divorced. Paulette was suddenly left to care for her child, as a single parent without a high school diploma but with much support from her sisters, parents and Julie’s godfather, Alfredo Arias, who would often take the train from Chicago to take Paulette grocery shopping. Those years were lean and lonely for Paulette, but she was a strong and supportive mother. In 1982, Paulette’s mother set her up on a blind date with Timothy Gleason, a recent widower with two small children; Michelle (Mickie) age 10 and Ryan, age 4. She was reluctant but with Ann’s persistence she agreed to go on the date. The two hit it off and within 6 months they were married. Paulette and her daughter, Julie, moved into Tim’s quaint little Cape Cod on a tree lined street in Lombard, IL. It is there that the two families merged and became one, with Tim officially adopting Julie as his own. The blind date turned into 42 years of marriage and some of the best years of her life. Paulette, with Tim’s support and encouragement, finished her GED and received her High School diploma. She was creative and spent many years working as a floral designer for Pfund and Clint were she was a hard worker and loved by all for her outgoing personality and vivacious laugh. She was often heard shouting “Awesome!” as she commented on a beautiful floral arrangement. Everyone LOVED Paulette. At Christmas she baked cookies for Tim to bring to his employees—making sure she added Nestle Toll House cookies, which are Tim’s favorite. She was known as the fun aunt. In addition to baking she loved painting and her beloved dogs: Gizmo and Cubby. Paulette and Tim shared time between their home in Illinois and their summer cottage in Wisconsin. They enjoyed pontoon boat rides with their kids and family, drinks on their pier and traveling. They were active members of their church and served as Eucharistic Ministers. In 2019 Tim and Paulette retired to Florida, soaking up the sunshine in The Villages. They made friends quickly and loved exploring the surroundings in their purple golf cart (Paulette’s favorite color), making stops at the hair dresser for her to get a few stands of shimmery fairy hair. Friday nights were spent with friends enjoying dinner, dancing and singing Karaoke to which Paulette new all the words. Dressing up for Halloween was also a highlight. Paulette is preceded in death by her parents and brother Edward. In addition to over 50 nieces and nephews, she is survived by her husband, Timothy, sisters: Bonita Horkavy, Andrea (the late Danny) Hickman and Jodi Rondeau (Jerry); her children Julie (Edwin) Mierkiewicz, Michelle (the late Mario) Talavera and Ryan Gleason and her beloved grandchildren: Camila, MJ, Morgan, Audrey, Ava, Jasmyn and great-granddaughter, Nadiya. A memorial service will be held in the spring in Lombard, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society, Alzheimer’s Association, or Gilda’s Club Madison (www.gildasclubmadison.org).

Paulette Marie Gleason

May 23, 1947 - November 9, 2025