Gloria Kay Dal Ponte

Gloria Kay Dal Ponte, age 88, of Park City, Illinois, formerly of Highland Park, Illinois, passed away on January 26, 2026.

Kay was born on January 23, 1938, in Ullin, Illinois, to the union of James Curtis Smith and Faye Jewel Taylor. She was raised in southern Illinois and graduated from Dongola High School, Class of 1956. Later that year, her family moved to Lake Forest, Illinois, where Kay's life truly began.

In Lake Forest, Kay met and fell in love with Gino Dal Ponte. The two were married on November 10, 1956, at Saint Mary’s Church in Lake Forest. Together, they built a loving life and raised their family in Highland Park, Illinois.

Kay worked for Illinois Bell and Garnett’s in Highland Park, but her most cherished work was alongside her husband in their family upholstery business, where they were true partners in life and labor.

A deeply family-oriented woman, Kay found her greatest joy in time spent with loved ones. She was an active member of the Women of the Moose Lodge #806, where she enjoyed volunteering and the fellowship with her many family and friends. Kay loved to travel and proudly visited 26 of the 50 United States. She enjoyed bingo, playing cards, ice cream, watching cooking shows, gardening her flowers and vegetables, and spending time in Eagle River, Wisconsin, where she especially loved fishing.

Kay was a loving mother to Viki (Terry) Rieder of Eden, Wisconsin; Karen Luttrell of Park City, Illinois; and Gary Dal Ponte of Park City, IL. She was a devoted grandmother to Shaun (Brandi) Luttrell of Eagle River, Wisconsin; Nick Luttrell of Wauconda, Illinois; Todd Rieder of Oakfield, Wisconsin; Tami (Ryan) Rieder-Hale of Marytown, Wisconsin; and Tyler (Andrea) Rieder of Chilton, Wisconsin. She was a cherished great-grandmother to Buck Luttrell, Amber Luttrell, Iven Rieder, Logan Hale, Maren Hale, Harden Reider and Brock Reider.

Kay was a dear sister to Catherine Garrey of Lake Forest, Illinois; Nancy Kiddle of Naples, Florida; Pam Inglish of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Mike Smith of Sarasota, Florida. She was a special aunt to Linda (Jim) Trinka of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gino Dal Ponte, her parents Curtis Smith and Faye Taylor Smith, her brother Dick Smith, and her sister Iris Modglin.

Kay's will be remembered for her warmth, dedication to family, love of life’s simple pleasures, and the many memories she created with those she loved.

A visitation will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 1:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M., with a funeral service beginning at 6:00 P.M. at Seguin & Symonds Funeral Home 858 Sheridan Road, Highwood, IL 60040. 

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