Alison L. Darveau

Alison Louise Darveau, 44, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2026, at OSF Saint

James in Pontiac, Illinois, following a short illness.

Alison was born on April 27, 1982, in Pontiac, Illinois, to Paul and Carol (née Husted)

Darveau. Throughout her life, she called Flanagan, Forrest, Mendota, and Pontiac,

Illinois, her home.

Ali’s life was one of remarkable strength from the very beginning. Born with kidney

failure, she received a kidney transplant from her father on June 22, 1983. Throughout

her life, Alison faced many challenges, but those who knew and loved her knew there

was far more to her than what she could communicate or do in conventional ways. She

had a wonderful, sometimes quirky sense of humor and loved teasing her family, often

deliberately doing something she knew she wasn’t supposed to do just to get a reaction.

She especially enjoyed going “off road” in her powered wheelchair.

Alison was a lifelong fan of Sesame Street. Big Bird was by far her favorite, but she

loved the entire cast of characters. Her grandpa, Clark, introduced her to The Muppets,

and she fell for Kermit the Frog right away. She loved the other characters too, but

Kermie was the best! Ali loved her family and friends and made friends easily with her

smile and charming personality.

Alison attended Metcalf Laboratory School and graduated from University High School

in Normal in 2003. She later attended Futures Unlimited in Pontiac and Kreider Services

in Dixon. She was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Flanagan and was a

member of St John’s Lutheran Church in Mendota. In 2021, she moved into a group

home through Mosaic in Pontiac, where she enjoyed being with her childhood best

friend, Hope, and making new friends, especially caregiver, Ima.

Her uncle Richard said that Ali taught a lot of people a lot of things. She taught him

about life priorities that he was very grateful for. He also stated, “Everyone has a calling,

and she accomplished her tasks with flying colors!”

The family is deeply grateful to the staff at Mosaic Group Home on Harward Street in

Pontiac, IL, for the love and care they gave Alison. She was dearly loved there, and her

family will be eternally grateful to everyone who became part of her life. The family also

thanks the doctors, nurses, and medical staff at OSF Saint James for their care and compassion.

Alison is survived by her parents, Paul and Carol Darveau of Normal, IL; her sisters,

Angela Darveau of Bloomington, IL, and Andrea (Evan) Burie of Bloomington, IL; and

her niece and nephew, Ella and Dean Burie, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins,

and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, George and

Alice (née Gibbons) Darveau, and maternal grandparents, Clark and Lois (née Shay)

Husted, who surely welcomed her with open arms.

Alison leaves behind a lifetime of love, laughter, and memories. She was deeply loved

and will be profoundly missed.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, September 8th, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Community

Lutheran Church in Cornell, IL. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, 11:00 AM at

the church. Burial will follow in the Cornell Cemetery.

The Winterrowd-Hagi Funeral Home, Streator, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sesame Workshop, Mosaic

Pontiac, or the charity of the donor’s choice.