Shirley Anne Sobol, née Dombey, peacefully passed away on July 15, 2026, in Mokena, Illinois. She courageously and confidently ended dialysis treatments on her own terms, her life well lived and complete.
Born on September 22, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, Shirley grew up in a home shaped by strong values, faith, family traditions, and a sense of community. She graduated from Kelly High School in Chicago in 1953 and married her high school sweetheart, Norman N. Sobol, on December 15, 1956, after his return from service in the U.S. Army. They built a family through love, faith, diligence, and an incredible sense of humor.
Shirley was confident, intelligent, and resilient. She and her family were longtime residents of Hometown, Illinois, where she was deeply involved in her community. She ran for Alderman, served as a room mother to her elementary school-aged children, taught Bible School at Hometown Christian Church, and was a den mother for her son’s Cub Scout pack. She attended every baseball and softball game for each of her children, even if she could only see a couple of innings before going to the next child’s game. In 1964, she was voted Queen of Hometown.
Shirley worked at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills for 33 years, serving in several capacities but spending most of her years there as secretary to the Dean of Guidance and Counseling. Everyone adored Shirley and her candy dish. She was awarded the Robert E. Turner Service Award in 1995 for her loyal and selfless service to MVCC.
Art was her lifelong passion. Shirley was a longtime member of the Lemont Art Guild and an accomplished artist and painter who loved drawing and painting animals. She made her own Christmas cards featuring one of her drawings each year. There wasn’t an art or craft she didn’t try—baking, crocheting afghans, dollmaking, flower arranging, holiday décor, and making her children’s Halloween costumes.
Shirley had many lifelong friends and readily made new ones. She belonged to many clubs where she treasured these relationships. She loved a good joke, laughed easily and often, and absolutely loved a party. Thoughtful, compassionate, and quick-witted, she drew people to her. Throughout her life, she “collected” people, growing her family with “adopted” children and grandchildren: Jeanine, Alex, Bernie, Cindy, and Conni.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman N. Sobol; her parents, William L. Dombey and Eileen I. Dombey/Kozack (née Flatley).
She is survived by three children: daughter Jeanne (Cindy) Sobol, daughter Nancy (Roger) Van Vlerah, and son Scott (Theresa) Sobol. She had three grandchildren: Kristen (Joe) Zelek, Vicki (Ryan) Nemecek, and Matthew (Katie) Sobol, and six great-grandchildren: Celine, Cameron, Vanessa, Vivian, Marie, and Nolan. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Her life was a blessing, her love a gift, her memory a treasure.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the nursing staff at Clarendale of Mokena and the nursing and clergy staff of Heartland Hospice for their love, compassion, and kindness.
Visitation: Monday, August 10, 2026, 3 to 7 p.m. at Palos Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Highway, Palos Hills, Illinois.
Committal Service: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 10 a.m. at Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery, 17 W 201 E Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Shirley’s name to a charity of your choice.
For information or to express your condolences, visit www.palosgaidasfh.com or call 708-974-4410.