Dolores "Dee" Toole

Dolores “Dee” Toole, 84, of Danville, Illinois passed away on December 2, 2025.

She was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Stanley and Emily Walicki, and grew up near Midway Airport with her brother, Robert Walicki, and a special aunt, Lottie (Stan) Ladniak. After graduating from Lourdes High School, she went to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with two friends, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.

She worked at state hospitals in Anna, Dixon and Harrisburg.

She married Frederick Toole, who preceded her in death, and had two children, Douglas (Jennifer) Toole and Mandy Toole. They survive, as well as two grandchildren, Lucas Toole (Jessie Barnard) and Erin (Evan) Green, two special granddogs, Zoey and Bailey, and many cousins.

She earned a Master’s Degree in Audiology from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She moved to Danville in 1981 to work as an Educational Audiologist with the Central Association for Special Education (later the Vermilion Association of Special Education), providing hearing services for children in Danville and Vermilion County schools.

After retirement, she traveled to the Yucatan, Canada, several countries in Europe and various sites in the United States. She was a member of St Paul's Church, the Danville Garden Club, the Old Town Preservation Association, and met with a special group of ladies every Saturday morning for breakfast at Ela's.

She found a love of gardening, and became a Master Gardener. She enjoyed serving on committees and volunteering with other gardeners, and recently earned her 20-year pin with the organization. She achieved a goal of seeing all of Shakespeare’s plays performed live. She liked to read, knit, volunteer at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, socialize with friends, and be with family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Westville, Illinois, 231 North State Street, Westville, Illinois 61883. Father Timothy J. Sauppé will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park. A Rosary Service will be held at 4:30 PM on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834 with visitation to follow from 5-7:00 PM.

Please join Dolores’ family in sharing memories, photos, and videos of her life through her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.