Mary Louise Stefanic, 89, a longtime resident of Oak Park, died on July 31, 2021, in her beloved home, surrounded by the love of family and friends.
Mary Louise Cecilia McKeone was born on Sept. 27, 1931, in Muscatine, Iowa, to Mrs. Laura McKeone. She moved in her early years with her mother, brother Jim, and Aunt Rosie, to Chicago. She graduated from Notre Dame High School, and Rosary College (now Dominican University) in River Forest. She spent years working at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
In February 1958, she married Joseph Stefanic in Chicago. Within a year they moved to Napa, California, and began raising their family. After several years they returned to Illinois, moving into their house in Oak Park in December 1964.
She worked for years in volunteer and paid positions, including as communications director at Proviso East High School, and as a popular, longtime yoga teacher. She was active in the church and choir at Ascension Church in Oak Park.
Over the decades, their children grew into their own lives, and grandchildren followed. Birthdays, holidays, extended family, visitors from near and far, parties large and small, yoga classes and meditations, filled their home. Her last years had their difficulties, but she was deeply grateful to be able to stay in her home, getting her wish to only leave “feet first.”
Mary Louise is survived by her children Joe, Mike, Laura, Tom, Ellen, and Vicky, nine grandchildren, daughters-in-law and son-in-law, nieces and nephews and cousins, and multitudes of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe, father Louis and mother Laura, aunts Rosie and Frances, brother Jim, and her beloved dog Shanti.
The family would like to thank all those who visited, friends from Ascension, and her caregivers, especially Grace.
Services to be announced.
