Apologies to all who were not made aware of Mary Lou’s passing and Services. Please send an email of your mailing address to her nephew Michael Orrico at this website (Mike@Orricofuneral.com) or call him at 877-974-9201 so that we may send you a memorial card with her information and prayer.
Mary Lou Zaccone (nee Orrico) 71, of Lockport, formerly of Hickory Hills passed away Tuesday afternoon February 10th at home peacefully with her family at her side. She was the beloved and devoted wife of Robert (Bob) for over 50 years. Loving mother of Joseph (Laura) of Orland Park, Janine (Steve) Zulanas of Simi California, Jorie (Chris)Guch of Frankfort, and Jennifer (Vince) Annel of Orland Park. Proud Grandma of Joey, Liza, Domenic, Jason, Joseph, Jake, Jon, Lauren, Vanessa, and Vince. Dearest Sister of Mario (Sally) Orrico and Sister-in-law of Ronnie and Lori Zaccone. Devoted daughter of the late Mariano and Leontina Orrico and Daughter- in -law of the late Ann and Joseph Zaccone. Dear Aunt of Mario, Carmen, God Daughter Sandy, Michael, Brad, Ronda and Nicole. An unforgettable woman, selfless friend and a neighbor that all others are measured by.
Visitation was held this past Thursday, February 12th 2015, at The Kurtz Memorial Chapel , located at 102 Francis Road New Lenox. The Funeral Service took place on that Friday morning from the funeral home to St Dennis Catholic Church 1214 S. Hamilton St. Lockport Il., with a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial. The Visitation of more then 400 family and friends along with the congregation of over 300 at the mass, were a testament to the character and beauty of this special woman. Mary Lou’s 10 Grandchildren participated throughout the mass and services for the day. Acting as pall bearers, readers, gift bearers and giver of hugs to their papa Bob and anyone else who needed one. The Interment was held following the Mass and in procession to Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Alsip. Mary Lou was laid to rest at 12:30 that afternoon next to her parents Mariano and Leontina. The sun was shining for a brief moment while her grandchildren sprinkled bread crumbs at the cemetery near her grave. Just like she had done so many times before in her yard in Hickory Hills for the birds and squirrels. A memorial luncheon was held at Gatto’s Restaurant in New Lenox where food poured from the kitchen and wine from the bottles like so many times before at Mary Lou’s own table. Stories were shared, smiles broke out, and the tears had stopped for awhile. Orrico Kourelis Funeral Services handled arrangements and services.
Our family would like to thank Matt, Brad, Mark, Jennifer,Stacy, Mel, Mirusia, Michelle, John,Wayne, and Ron whom are the Staff at Kurtz Memorial Chapel and the Owners Marilyn Kurtz and Tom Vana for the kindness and generosity they extended our family at this time of need. Words cant express our gratitude.
This Eulogy given by her Daughter Janine Zulanas at the Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at St. Dennis Catholic Church in Lockport on Friday Morning at 10:00 AM
” My Mom Mary Lou Zaccone a women of great courage. A wife, Mother, Sister, Grandma, Aunt, Godmother, Friend.
She was a wonderful role model to everyone she knew.
She lived her life to the fullest.
For those of us lucky enough to be touched and blessed with her values and outlook on life, know that she always put others before herself no matter who you were or what your story was, her doors and arms were always open.
She knew way before any of us, when the gates of heaven were going to bring her home.
Her nephew Mike Orrico was the chosen one, the one who sat down with her to plan the next chapter in her life.
She told Mike please make sure these few things were mentioned in my Eulogy and make it funny….so here it goes.
She wanted all to know that her first dream in life was to be a dancer. She did LOVE to dance and competed in ball room dancing for a few years.
To get married and have 4 children…… she nailed that one!!
She loved crafts….always had a table or a spot set up with projects in the making, not just arts and crafts but refinishing furniture spray painting anything and everything.
For someone who didn’t drive on expressways, didn’t like to make left hand turns and didn’t drive at night, she sure got around. Giving direction was NOT a problem for her.
TRADITIONS….she loved them
Butter cookies at Christmas time
Receiving new ornaments every year at Christmas that represented
Highlights of our year. It was the Christmas gift she loved to give, year after year after year.
Our annual summer vacations to Alpine Valley with friends and family.
Golf cart rides, swimming, bocce ball, and shaving cream fights.
They weren’t lavish vacations by any means but filled with Love & Laughter which made them magical and memorable.
Our one and only trip to Disney World. She saved her money for years to take us there.
Halloween costumes….if you needed one she had it. Every size, color and style.
Her camera…she always had it to capture all the great moments. Say cheese, smile, don’t pick your nose, stand up straight, don’t move, she never got tired of saying it.
Birthday celebrations every year for us kids and my dad….up until we got married, we could go home and find our birthday dinner of choice, a homemade decorated cake, decorations and presents. She never missed a birthdays.
Hanging all the laundry on the clothes line in the backyard….crazy at first but it just became part of the landscape.
Her last dream in life was to have lots of grandchildren. She was blessed with 10, who she got to spoil and watch grow for the past 16 years. 7 boys 3 girls. Joey, Domenic, Liza, Jason, Joseph, Jake, Jonny, Vanessa, Lauren and Vinny. You were, are, and will always be her “pride and joy”
SHE SAID SHE LOVED HER GRANDCHILDREN MORE THEN ALL THE STARS IN THE SKY
Her little touches went a long way in the hearts of everyone she knew.
Whether they were our friends, her friends, new friends, family, family friends, neighbors, her home was your home.She always had an answer for everything and her words were filled with wisdom and knowledge to keep you strong. It was the little things that mattered and stuck….that sometimes became life’s lessons.
My mom fought till the very end without ever letting on how sick she really was.She left us before we were ready to let her go.
She saw and celebrated life like this:
Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people
A heart that forgives the worst
A mind that forgets the bad
And a soul that never loses faith in God ! ”