Daisy Serra

Daisy Serra

Age 61 of Dwight, Illinois and formerly of Wallingford, Connecticut, passed away peacefully Monday morning, April 26, 2021 at Heritage Health of Dwight.

Born May 16, 1959 in Meriden, Connecticut Daisy was a daughter of Reve V. and Maria T. (Rios) Serra.

Funeral services will be held at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street in Morris, on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Reverend Dr. Roy Backus will officiate.

Those wishing to participate in the services virtually are welcome to join the live stream on Thursday, beginning at 4:00 p.m. A link for the event will be available on Daisy’s memorial page.

Green flameless cremation rites will be accorded following the services.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Daisy’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/Daisy-Serra

Funeral services and green flameless cremation services have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. In Morris. ( 815-942-2500 )

Never Quit Daisy

(Through the eyes of her best friends)

We first met Daisy when Jan and I purchased a family fitness center where she was a member.

At first impression Daisy could come across as somewhat loud, socially awkward and a bit unvarnished. We grew to learn that those were just her outer trappings and that we would discover the best of her over time.

She was a beast at the gym, working out 2 hours a day, lifting weights for an hour, followed by an hour of intense cardio. In addition, she practiced Tae Kwon Do 3-4 nights a week.  She rose to the level of provisional black belt and began instructing newer students. As part of the requirements to attain the rank of black belt, I watched her in full contact sparring with an 18 year old, 6 foot male black belt, whom she literally beat into submission until he was cowering on the floor (a proud moment; he was a cocky young lad).

She began working at our gym, staffing the front desk, helping in child care, and with janitorial and maintenance. I quickly learned that her carpentry and general facility skills (and the patience needed to complete such tasks) far surpassed my own, and she became my "go to fixer". After my 3rd failed attempt at cutting / installing ceiling tile or ceiling light fixtures, I knew who to call.

We came to realize that there was no harder working, more loyal and trustworthy person than Daisy, and her rough edges became lovable quirks as we recognized the gem of a lifelong friend we had discovered. We came to think and speak of Daisy not as a friend, but as part of our family. She was not only invited to family events and holidays, she helped to plan and implement them. It wasn't Christmas, unless Daisy was there and presents were exchanged from everyone, along with the reading of the birth of Jesus (from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, of course!)

Then, along about 2006, Jan and Daisy were volunteering all night at a walk for life fundraiser, when an out of control golf cart, loaded with tent piping, rammed though their tent and struck Daisy in her left shoulder, causing permanent disability. Her days of working out and practicing karate were abruptly and devastatingly over.  For the next 6 months, Jan would go to Daisy's house at bedtime and help her into her bed. The warrior was down.

But, Never Quit Daisy cannot be held back for long. Unable to continue in her long-term assembly job, she enrolled in a year long medical coding program, learned to drive with one arm, and launched a second career.

Then a series of disabling strokes struck her while she was down, and Daisy was in an exhausting and seemingly endless battle to overcome the effects of her brain injury. As we would expect, she fought heroically, and would regain enough functionality to return home, only to be assailed by additional strokes which, along with other physical challenges, ultimately brought down our precious warrior princess and truest friend.

On March 8th, she was transferred by ambulance to a long-term facility in Dwight, Illinois- 8 miles from the condo we were purchasing. As these beds are very scarce, especially without huge budgets, this was received as a gift from the Lord and a sign of his oversight.

Very early on April 26 (2 days after we arrived in Illinois) we received a call from Daisy's nurse letting us know that she had been found unresponsive on night rounds. We had spoken to her the night before, and she was excited about her new home, spending time with Jan, and her new roommate. Daisy had been talking about how much she enjoyed her new roommate, and she believed the Lord had put her here for Daisy to help. When we saw her room there were a dozen or more stuffed animals on her roommate’s night- stand.  They were all Daisy winnings at bingo!

Whenever we'd ask Daisy what she wanted, she would always reply: "all I want is my body back!" Today that petition was answered. Never Quit Daisy will indeed have her body back, stronger, without pain, and more capable and connected than ever. We will miss her terribly and remember her often, but, we will not be sad for her. She passed on happy, loved and secure in her faith and is celebrating her newly formed legs with the creator!