Obituary: Mary Alice Lambert, Longtime Plainfield Business Owner

At rest on July 18, 2024 at Lightways Hospice - Joliet. She was 92.

Born September 24, 1931 at Joliet, Illinois, Mary Alice Lambert was raised in DuPage Township (Will County) and was a lifelong resident of the Plainfield area.

Mary Alice is survived by her children, Steve (Diane) of Henderson, Kentucky; twins, Michelle (Mike Gunter) of Phoenix, Arizona and Michael (Bob Navarro) of Plainfield and her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth (Wittenberg) Lambert of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: David Lambert, Melissa Lambert, Adam Lavazza, Heather Lambert (John Wright); Sgt. Anthony Lavazza (USMC, ret.), Aaron Lavazza, Kathryn (Grady) Diesslin, and Austin Lavazza and her three great-grandchildren: Beckett Diesslin, Grayson Lambert, and Jack Diesslin. Also surviving are her sister-in-law, Carol (Kelm) George and three nieces: Barb (Bob) Voigts, Caron (Dave) Stillmunkes, and Cathy Hatland.

Mary Alice was preceded in death by her former husband, D. Richard “Dick” Lambert (2004); her sons, Lt. Col. David R. Lambert (USAF, ret.) (2015) and Randal B. Lambert (2015); an infant daughter, Debra Lyn (1954); her parents, Milton and Alice (Eaton) George; her brother, Ronald W. George; and her aunt, Lois (Eaton) Birkett.

Mary Alice was the last surviving member of the Plainfield High School Class of 1949 of which she was the valedictorian and where she was a member of the Girls Athletic Association (GAA). She was a member of the staff that created the first edition of The Plainsman yearbook for Plainfield Schools. Mary Alice attended Monmouth (IL) College (1949-1950), where she studied interior decorating and home economics.

Mary Alice married her high school sweetheart on September 1, 1950, settling on a farm along Weber Road, then a one-lane gravel road. There, they transformed a small farmhouse into a sprawling, Mid-century Modern ranch home, where she hosted many “spur of the moment” parties for “the gang,” classmates, and friends. An accomplished seamstress, Mary Alice won awards at the Illinois State Fair for her coats and dresses created while in high school; sewed the gowns for many bridal parties, including those for her own wedding; and made clothing for her eldest children.

While raising their family, Mary Alice and Dick farmed and, beginning in 1968, operated Lambert Airfield. Those days were filled with hundreds of weekend visitors to “the farm,” where many conversations were “held over coffee around the kitchen table” or “out in the hangar.” Later, they briefly operated Three Castles Air Park at Wonewoc, Wisconsin.

Mary Alice was involved with many Christian and community endeavors throughout her lifetime. She was one of the active charter members who founded Plymouth Congregational Church at Plainfield (1963), where she was Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Women’s Fellowship President, Youth Choir Leader, and a member of numerous boards and committees.

Mary Alice served the Howell D. Davies Association of Congregational Churches; Illinois Congregational Fellowship/Midwest Association of Congregational Christian Churches; Midwest Congregational Women’s Fellowship; the Illinois Congregationalist as Editor; and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) as an Annual Meeting Delegate, Chairperson of the Women’s Committee (1968-69), and member of the Executive Committee (1969-1972). A talented cook, Mary Alice prepared all of the meals for the annual, week-long Illinois Pilgrim Youth Fellowship (PYF) Camp for many years. Most recently, she was a member of the Tinley Park Community Christian Church.

Throughout the 1960s, Mary Alice served in the Plainfield PTA; was a member of the Plainettes Unit of The Homemakers Club; served as a judge for the Ladies Fair Tent of the Wheatland Plowing Match; and was a member (alongside her husband) of the International Flying Farmers.

Between 1977 and 1982, Mary Alice and Dick renovated five historic buildings in downtown Plainfield and created “The Meeting Place” with more than a dozen specialty shoppes, The Latchstring Bakery, and Sanctuary Restaurant.

Mary Alice was an active member of the Board of Directors for both the Plainfield Commerce Association and the Downtown Business Association. As the principal originator, Mary Alice served as Co-Chairperson of the inaugural PlainfieldFest (1982). Mary Alice also originated Plainfield’s Strawberry Fest and Harvest Fest.

When most would enjoy a relaxing retirement, Mary Alice operated—for more than 32 years—two Plainfield gift shops, where she met hundreds of customers and sales reps who became her friends: Contemporary Cuisine and The Tawny Tortoise, closing her last shop at the age of 88.

The family of Mary Alice Lambert is especially grateful for her friends, relatives, neighbors, home therapists, and the Lightways Hospice team who provided much comfort and company in her final months.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, July 26, 2024 at Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 15219 S. Joliet Road, Plainfield. An additional visitation will be held at 10:00 am, preceding the Memorial Service at 11:00 am at the funeral home on Saturday, July 27, 2024 with Reverend Rob Joy officiating. Inurnment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary Alice Lambert’s memory to the Plainfield Historical Society, 23836 W. Main Street, Plainfield, IL 60544 or Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.