Sheila M. Szott

Sheila M. Szott, 87, of Peru, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:00 pm Saturday, August 8, 2026, at St. Valentine Church. The Rev J A Small will officiate. Burial will be at St. Hyacinth Cemetery in LaSalle, IL. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:30 am -12:00 pm in the Church. Ptak Funeral Home has been assisting the family with the arrangements.

Sheila was born on February 21, 1939, in LaSalle to Frank “Jimmy” and Leona (Vosburgh) Studzinski. She married Fran Szott on June 27, 1959, in St. Patrick Church, LaSalle. She was a longtime member of St. Valentine Church. She was happily married for 61 years and found her greatest joy during that time. Sheila cherished her family and treasured her many friendships. Along with Fran, Sheila owned and operated Fran Szott’s Carpet and Flooring Outlet in Peru from 2000 until 2023 and was integral to the operations of Szott’s of Peru and Szott’s Floor and Wallcovering. While having a keen eye for design and assisting customers with product selection, her favorite part of the business was getting to greet and talk with the many customers. She was a graduate of LaSalle-Peru Township High School where in 1956 she, along with a group of twelve other students, created a dance team that would officially become the LaSalle-Peru High School Cavalettes in 1957. Additionally, she was instrumental in the formation of the Peru Girls Softball League. Most of all, she will be remembered as a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Jim) Galassi of Schaumburg, son Gary (Rose) Szott of Naperville, three grandchildren; Allison (Austin) Arndt, Mark (Brie) Szott, and Jack (Cara) Szott and six great grandchildren - Ainsley, Adaline and Bo Arndt, and Turner, Mason and Miller Szott. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fran (2021) and her parents, as well as three brothers - Don Studzinski, James Studzinski, and Ken Studzin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Valentine Church, Peru or Northwestern Memorial Foundation Marianjoy Aphasia Center. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.ptakfuneralhome.com.