Josephine "Jo" L. (D'Amico) Kivlehan

Josephine “Jo” Kivlehan, née D’Amico, 92, of Wadsworth, IL, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born April 26, 1934, in Welland, Ontario, Canada. She was a devoted wife of 43 years to her dear late husband Bernard (Bernie), a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and faithful friend. 

Jo was the matriarch of her cul-de-sac at the Villas at Midlane in Wadsworth and truly united the neighborhood into a family. Every new resident was welcomed with open arms and a friend for life. Those neighbors were the best of friends to her, and they cared for her without hesitation whenever the need arose.

She enjoyed the theatre, lunch with friends, hosting parties, attending hockey games (her grandsons’ and the Blackhawks) and she travelled extensively to destinations including New Zealand, Ireland, Israel, Costa Rica, Italy, and many others. 

She donated endless time and energy to those around her. Jo showed us all how much she cared by baking strawberry rhubarb cakes and apple pies with a smile. She organized regular lunches, ensuring that nobody was ever a “long lost” friend, but was kept close and dear. She took her service to the neighborhood welcome wagon committee as a calling, letting everyone know that they had found a home. 

Jo’s passionate faith drove her to make pilgrimages to Lourdes and the Holy Land, her service to her parishes, and the way she spread Christ’s message of love through her own example.

The family would like to express our gratitude to caregivers Lou, Grace, Natalia, and Jairah, of Transition Care Home Assist LLC as well as the nurses and aides from JourneyCare Home Health and Hospice. Your incredible skill, compassion, and devotion to Josephine meant so much to all of us and we cannot thank you enough.

Jo is survived by her son: Todd (Lynn) Kivlehan; her cherished grandchildren: Spencer, Aidan, Aubrey, and Griffin Kivlehan, and Anna and Liam Blackburn; her sister: Rosina Popp; her nieces and nephews: Ted (Angeline) Galotta, John (Paula) Galotta, David (Elaine Pitcher) Galotta, Leonard Popp, Rosanne (Rob Eggleton) Popp, Michael (Tina) D’Amico, Catherine D’Amico, Anne Marie (Brian) Lever, and Tom (Michelle) D’Amico; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

Jo is reunited in heaven with her husband, her parents Rocco and Lucia D’Amico, her sister Mary (the late Joseph) Galotta, her brother Victor (Cecilia) D’Amico, and her sister Helen D’Amico. 

Visitation Friday, July 10, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Symonds Lakes Funeral Home, 111 W. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030, and on Saturday, July 11 at the Church of Saint Patrick, 15000 Wadsworth Rd., Wadsworth at 10:00 AM prior to mass at 11:00 AM. Private entombment Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville. In lieu of flowers,  memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities, or to the charity of your choice, For additional information please contact the funeral home at 847-543-1080.

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