Zenobia Bernardini DuBois, 92, a longtime resident of DeKalb, died on Monday, February 29, 2016 at Kishwaukee Hospital.

Zenobia was born in 1924 in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised there by her parents, John and Pierina Fioretti Bernardini. She graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee with a degree in Biology and later received her M.A. in Guidance Counseling from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Zenobia excelled in a variety of sports and athletic endeavors and always believed that a healthy body, an educated mind, and a continued communion with the natural and spiritual worlds was the foundation for a well-lived life. She was a primary school teacher for many decades and was often approached and thanked by many of her former students in the area up until the days before her passing.

In 1947, Zenobia married William Robert DuBois, who shared with her a lifetime interest in reading, gardening, travel, music, and the theater. Her husband, a former faculty member at NIU, passed away in 1994.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers Dante and Cesare Bernardini, and nephew John Bernardini, all of Ohio.

She is survived by her sister, Pierina Bernardini Schmidt of Florida, son William Kane DuBois (Laura Fukuda), of St. Charles, Illinois, daughter Peri DuBois, of DeKalb, along with seven nieces, one nephew and many grandnieces and nephews. She was devoted to her family and friends and bound them together with visits, letters, phone calls, prayers, and e-mails.

Zenobia volunteered for many civic groups including the DeKalb County Hospice program and the Ellwood House Museum; she was truly ageless and without boundaries. Her arms were always open to any child or adult whose life she could make happier and more beloved.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, March 3 at Finch Funeral Home at 310 Oak St. in DeKalb from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m... A funeral service will be held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Rd. at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 4. Burial will follow the service at Fairview Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Zenobia's name to Westminster Presbyterian Church or alternatively to the Ellwood House Museum. To send an online condolence visit: www.finchfuneralhomedekalb.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815) 758-3841.