Mary Wasick
WASICK, MONTGOMERY, MORIO, BARILLEAUX, GRADY, LAFAVE, ARICKX, TRUAX, ELLERBROCK, HOTTINGER, LAEDTKE
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 1/26/2024 at 12:27:56
Mary Wasick, 95, died peacefully in her home on Friday, November 24, 2023, surrounded by her family.
Mary was born September 21, 1928, to Harry and Myrtle Montgomery, in Kankakee, Illinois. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Bourbonnais, IL, then was among four graduates of the Englewood School of Nursing, Chicago, IL, in 1951. She practiced OR nursing until her marriage.
In May, 1952, Mary married Dr. Milan (Mike) Wasick, a surgeon, and they raised four daughters on the south side of Chicago. Their home on Oakley Avenue was filled with the aroma of delicious food and many wonderful conversations with family, good friends and cherished neighbors. Over the years, Mary, Mike and their 4 daughters traveled to 47 states and toured many national parks, but the highlight of the year was fishing every summer on the Chippewa Flowage in Hayward, Wisconsin.
Following her husband’s death in 1974, Mary moved to Iowa City, where she began a new chapter working as a realtor. After surgery to remove a benign brain tumor, Mary switched gears and resumed her career as a registered nurse at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Mary was honored to be named Mother of the Year at the University of Iowa in 1978. She retired from nursing at the age of 60, to spend more time with her children and grandchildren.
Mary was an avid reader who also loved to sew, knit, and discuss current events, personal finance, politics, and gardening. Mary instilled a sense of adventure in her children, and relished many hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park with her girls. She thoroughly enjoyed her daily reading of the Wall Street Journal as well as playing the game of Upwords, a version of Scrabble, as often as possible! She possessed a deep faith and was a model of strength, wisdom, courage, and gratitude. Spending time with her grandchildren was one of her greatest joys.
Mary is survived by three generations of her descendants, including her daughters Marcia (Rich) Morio, Marilyn (Ryan) Barilleaux, Mila (Tim) Grady, and Madelyn (John) LaFave; grandchildren Nick (Kim) Morio, Katie Morio, Sarah (Adam) Arickx, Mike (Emily) Morio, Will (Jenna) Morio, Gerard (Catherine) Barilleaux, Madeleine (Mike) Truax, Christine (Luke) Ellerbrock, Paul (Laura) Barilleaux, Thomas (Teresa) Barilleaux, Michael (Margaret) Barilleaux, Peter Grady, Claire (Dan) Hottinger, Ben (Jenny) Grady, Maria (Blake) Grady, Helena (E.R.) LaFave, Peter (Adrienne) LaFave, Andrew (Carrie) LaFave, Mary (Ross) Laedtke, James (Colette) LaFave, and Margaret LaFave, as well as 35 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.
Her family extends their most sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Craig Champion, Iowa City Hospice, Sue Chase and the outstanding team of devoted women who cared faithfully for Mary in her final months and days.
Visitation will be at Lensing’s Funeral Home on Sunday, Dec. 3rd, from 2-4 pm. A rosary will be recited at 3:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, Dec. 4th, 10 am, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Thomas Aquinas College (10,000 Ojai Rd, Santa Paula, CA 93060), St Wenceslaus Catholic Church (618 E Davenport St, Iowa City, IA 52245), or the charity of your choice.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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