Lora Mraz

Visitation

Jul 26, 2022 to Jul 27, 2022

Biography

Lora Mraz entered into eternal life on July 20 at 3:00 p.m., the hour of Divine Mercy. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, Edward Smith Mraz, who passed away in March of 2020. Lora is survived by her children Bryan (the late Jill) Mraz, Loren (Don) Matthes, Maria Mraz, Laurence (Julia) Mraz, and Melissa (David) Pietrzak; as well as 19 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Lora was born on September 1, 1933 to Domenica and Loris Pagliari in Chicago, Illinois. She and her brother, Joe, and her parents lived in Lucca, Italy during her early childhood. When they returned to America, her classmates called her “the little Italian girl” because she only spoke Italian. They lived together with her grandparents for many years, and she loved to watch and learn her grandmother’s Italian cooking, as well as her simple wisdom. Lora enjoyed music and dance, and classic movies. When her family took a trip to Hollywood, she boldly hounded autographs from many famous actors and actresses. Lora graduated from St. Mary’s College, where she had met Ed who graduated from the University of Notre Dame; they were married in 1957. They moved to the western suburb of Roselle where Ed opened his law practice. They were active in local politics, St. Walter Parish, and their community, while raising their five children. Lora was active on the Council of Catholic Women, as well as the University Women’s Club, serving as their president, organizing speakers, and various activities and fundraising events. Their children have many fond family memories including vacations on Lake Michigan with their cousins and the Ward family, horseback riding on the farm in southern Illinois, Florida trips with their parents and grandparents, and especially boating and summers in Lake Geneva. Lora and Ed’s grandchildren also loved spending family time together at the house on Lake Geneva and Christmases up in Necedah. Lora was a wonderful cook with an amazing gift of hospitality and love of family and friends. She was a woman of tremendous faith and prayer, and love of the Lord Jesus, which she passed down to her children and to many others. Lora was so very loved by family and friends and will be dearly missed. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, July 27, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to time of Funeral, 10:00 a.m. at The Oaks Funeral Home, 1201 E. Irving Park Road, (at Prospect) Itasca, Illinois. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 551 N. Rush Street, Itasca, Illinois; followed by interment at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine, Illinois. For more information call 630-250-8588 or oaksfh.com