Cleo Crooks MacArt

Born: March 27, 1921; in Brooklyn, NY

Died: February 11, 2018; DeKalb, IL

Cleo Crooks MacArt, 96, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away on February 11, 2018, at the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center.

Cleo was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Alexander and Cleopatra Crooks.  She was raised in Glen Ridge, New Jersey and graduated from Glen Ridge High School.  She married Donald MacArt in 1950.  They made their home in East Orange, New Jersey, where they raised their two daughters. Cleo was the Sunday School Superintendent and a Sunday School teacher at the North Arlington Avenue Presbyterian Church.

After working as the Senior Accounts Clerk for the East Orange Health Department for twenty-five years, Cleo retired to DeKalb to live near family.

She was the long-time Treasurer of the Womens Fellowship of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, which is known for its charitable outreach.   She had many friends among her breakfast and lunch groups in DeKalb and travelled overseas with them several times.

Cleo's smile and twinkling eyes brought joy into the lives of everyone who met her; her compassion for others was boundless. She was a loving mother and enthusiastically participated in her grandchildren's lives.

She is survived by daughters, Sally (James) Walker and Rev. Donna Havrisko ; grandchildren Erin Walker (Andy Bliss) and Laurie (Ryan) Golobish, David Walker, and Jeff Havrisko; and great-grandchildren, Donovan and Elodie Bliss.

Cleo was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her parents, her brother, Bruce, and her sister, Alice Austin.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center for their kind and faithful care.

Prayers were lifted by Redstone Presbytery and a Memorial Service is planned for July.

Arrangements were entrusted to: Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815) 758-3841.