Bu Ja Do

Bu Ja Do, age 83 of Bolingbrook, Illinois passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 6th at Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois. Born on May 18, 1941 in Seoul, South Korea, she was the devoted wife (bu-in) to Young Kyu Do, married for 60 years. She was the most amazing and dedicated mother (umma) to Joanna (Bradley) Morales, Michelle (Serge) Ioffe and Sandy (Leon) Kubicki and loving and doting grandmother (halmeoni) to Emma and Riley Morales, Audrey and Katie Ioffe and Claire Kubicki. Bu Ja is also survived by her older sister and two brothers in South Korea along with their six children. Bu Ja grew up in Seoul, South Korea where she lived through the Korean War, but even through her many hardships, she managed to graduate nursing school in 1963 with top honors while entering singing competitions on the weekends to live out her dreams of becoming a famous singer. Once her children were born, she wanted her children to live the “American dream”, so Bu Ja and Young immigrated to the United States on November 18,1978 where they raised their three young children in the Chicago suburbs. Our mother (umma) was hard working, sometimes working 16-hour shifts, then attending night school to get re-certified as a registered nurse in the United States. She will always be known for her strength, tenacity, wisdom and commitment to her family. The many sacrifices she made was an inspiration and she will never be forgotten. She was the pillar of strength throughout our lives. Bu Ja never liked to be the center of attention, but she deserves to be eternally honored and celebrated for the woman she exemplified to her three daughters and five granddaughters. Her legacy lives on through the lessons she taught us, and the unconditional love she graced us with…..these memories will be cherished forever. “Bu-in, Umma, Halmeoni, we will always remember our late nights eating ramen and watching Korean variety shows with you. We have tried many times to replicate your delicious recipes as adults, but it will never compare to your “made with love” cooking. We MISS you more than words can describe. We know you will watch over us in heaven as you always did for us in life. We love you so much and we will never forget you.” Visitation Services will take place on Monday, November 11th, 2024 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium, 530 West Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440. The funeral burial service will take place the following day, Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 starting at 10:00am at Resurrection Cemetery Romeoville, 200 West Romeo Road, Romeoville, Illinois 60446. Funeral arrangements entrusted to McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home and Crematorium.

Bu Ja Do

May 18, 1941 - November 6, 2024