Joan Wert (nee Damore), 93, of Riverside, died on Oct. 18, 2025. Born in Riverside on Dec. 15, 1931, she was a graduate of Hauser Junior High and Riverside Brookfield High School (Class of 1949). She raised three children, mostly on her own, and her family grew to include 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
She worked as a real estate agent at Burlington Realty — still dabbling well into her 90s — spent time in electronics sales and was also a hall monitor at Morton West High School.
Her roots ran deep. Her mother, Theresa Latoria Damore, was the eldest of 20 children and were honored at the 1933 World’s Fair as the “World’s Largest Living Italian Family.” Her brother, John Damore, played for the Chicago Bears.
Outside of work and family, she could be found on the golf course or laughing over a good game of Farkle with her dear friends.
In a recent interview, she reflected on her life in Riverside with her trademark warmth: “It’s been a wonderful life here. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family.”
Joan was the mother of Lawrence (Julia) Wert, Terri (Kevin) Tabor and Scott (Lina) Wert; the grandmother of Christopher (Becky) Tabor, Kathryn (Thomas) Cronin, Stephen (Emily) Tabor, Kristina (Matthew) Moheban, Bryan (Caitlyn) Tabor, Sara Wert, Joanne (Nick) Falk, Charles (Alicia) Wert, Gianna Wert and Ava Wert; the great-grandmother of 12; the sister of John (Joyce) Damore; and the aunt of many. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Sally (late John) Jeske, Rose (late Lewis) Casassa, Rochelle (late Clifford) Faust and Linda (late Ross) Patten.
Visitation will take place at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester on Friday, October 24 from 3 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 25, a funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Church, 105 Herrick Road, Riverside at 10 a.m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
