Raynice (nee Male) Tadey, 71, of Joliet passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at St. Joseph Medical Center with her loving family at her side after suffering through multiple ailments these past 20 years. Raynice was raised a country girl on a farm in Gardner, Illinois by her loving parents who predeceased her, Raymond and Bernice Male. She loved sharing the stories of her happy youth there with the menagerie of farm animals she turned into her pets including the duck who would follow her to the school bus, the orphaned raccoon her father helped her rescue, the lamb her mother would have to shoo out of the house, and Cawky, the crow, to name only a few. She also cherished the many cats and dogs she rescued throughout her years. The Rainbow Bridge must have been jam-packed upon her passing. After a house fire in 1963, she moved to town in Dwight, Illinois, where she graduated from Dwight Township High School in 1968. There, she was proud of her accomplishments playing flute in the band, being a pompon Trojanette, and working as a lifeguard at the local South Wilmington Fireman’s Beach Club during the summers. She moved to Joliet to attend Joliet Junior College, graduating with an associates degree in law enforcement, after which she spent a spell working as a dispatcher for Will County. In Joliet, she met the love of her life, Anthony “Butch” Tadey, whom she wed in Dwight in 1973. They were married 43 years until his death in 2017, with her missing him greatly these past four years. She adored her role as mother and grandmother, treasuring her only daughter, Angela (Seth) Wilkerson, and beloved grandchildren: Henry, Lucy and Jane of Orland Hills, who survive her. She was a very involved mom, and did everything in her power to make sure her daughter was given the best childhood possible. Raynice hosted the best birthday parties and 1980s sleepovers imaginable, and was her daughter’s biggest cheerleader in everything, along with her surviving best friend, who was just like her sister, Henny Steinbach of Shorewood. One of Raynice’s fondest memories was going as a chaperone along with Henny for Angela’s pom trip to Paris in 1995, and she also enjoyed their many weekends perusing the malls. Butch coined them ‘Lucy & Ethel.’ Raynice doted on her grandchildren and made sure she called them every night when she couldn’t see them in person. Aside from beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Raynice loved her role as teacher’s aide, serving in many special education classrooms in Joliet District 86 before retiring in 2016. She formed many great friendships there and enjoyed working with children. A special thank you to Dr. Eileen Heffernan for all the compassionate care she showed to Raynice as her patient over the past 30 years, as well as to the doctors at Heartland who helped extend her earthly time. In compliance with Raynice’s wishes during COVID, a small private viewing was held before cremation rites were accorded. Care Memorial was in charge of her arrangements. A larger service may be held at a later date. If you wish to do something in her honor, adopt a shelter pet or give a donation in her name to your local no-kill shelter. She will be greatly missed.