Dr. Wilson

Dr. Carol Jo Wilson of Shorewood, IL died peacefully with dignity at Lightways Hospice in Joliet on April 23, 2026, with her husband Charlie Vasconez by her side.

Carol was born on October 4, 1954, and grew up mainly in Oregon and Canton, Illinois. She went to nursing school at Graham Hospital School of Nursing in Canton and became a registered nurse. Carol continued her schooling at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and then moved to Austin, Texas to obtain her PhD at the University of Texas.

Carol moved to DeKalb, IL to begin a job as an assistant professor at the School of Nursing of Northern Illinois University (NIU). Soon after, Carol met Charlie Vasconez, who would later become her husband. Carol and Charlie were married on August 12, 1989, and settled in their first house in Maple Park, IL.

Carol went on to become an Associate Professor, then a Full Professor with tenure at NIU’s School of Nursing. During this time, Carol studied for and obtained her Family Nurse Practitioner certification (FNP). Carol also became a member of MENSA after passing the standardized intelligence test.

Carol moved on from NIU in the late 1990’s and worked at various community clinics utilizing her skills as an FNP. In the mid-2000’s, Carol took a job as Assistant Professor at the University of St. Francis (USF) Leach College of Nursing in Joliet IL. Concurrently, Carol and Charlie moved to Shorewood, IL to be closer to Joliet. Carol would eventually become a tenured Full Professor and then Dean of USF’s Leach College of Nursing where she would eventually retire in 2019.

Carol was a lifelong reader and, after marrying, became fond of gardening. Carol also was a big fan of watching old movies and old TV shows. During her retirement, she would take these activities to a whole new level. Carol was especially proud of creating and maintaining a native plant-based butterfly garden in her Shorewood back yard.

In retirement, Carol and Charlie adopted two adult rescue dogs, Harley and Ginger, from the Will County Humane Society. Dogs were a departure for Carol as throughout her life she was a cat person, raising and supporting several cats over the years (Kato, Ketra, Kasha, Simba, and Bob).

Carol loved being around family and friends, often making them laugh with her wit.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents William Dale Wilson and Mary (Andersen) Wilson.

Carol is survived by her loving husband of nearly 37 years, Charlie; her brothers, Randy (Melissa) and Jeff (Jill); and her sister, Pam. She is also survived by two nieces and two nephews, with whom she shared a close bond throughout her life. 

If interested, please send a donation in Carol’s name to the Will County Humane Society.